Srinagar, Oct 5: The Plaster of Paris (POP) manufacturing industry in Kashmir is facing a severe raw material crisis, with gypsum supplies to Valley-based units remaining halted for the past 15 days, pushing several units towards closure and leaving others operating at a fraction of their installed capacity.
The manufacturers have appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his intervention, seeking immediate restoration of gypsum supplies and a permanent mechanism to ensure adequate availability of the key raw material to the industry.
According to the manufacturers, more than 100 POP manufacturing units have been established across Kashmir on the basis of local raw material availability and market demand. The industry generates direct and indirect employment for more than 10,000 people and has attracted investment of over Rs 200 crore, including bank borrowings.
“From the past 15 days, our gypsum supplies have stopped,” the manufacturers said, stating that the disruption has severely affected production and the viability of the units.
They said gypsum is the basic raw material required for POP manufacturing and that the continued shortage has left many units unable to operate. The industry has alleged that J&K Minerals has not been able to provide adequate gypsum supplies to POP units in Kashmir.
The manufacturers said the issue was raised a few months back and brought to the notice of the Chief Minister, who assured the industry that necessary steps would be taken to resolve the gypsum supply issue and restore supplies to the affected units.
However, they said that despite the assurance, the supply situation has not improved, with the current disruption continuing for the last 15 days.
The industry has now appealed to the Chief Minister to personally intervene and direct the concerned authorities, particularly J&K Minerals, to immediately restore and streamline gypsum supplies to Kashmir-based POP units.
The manufacturers have also suggested that J&K Minerals be allowed to operate additional identified gypsum blocks, including areas near existing mining sites, to augment supplies and meet the requirements of local industries.
They said ensuring adequate local availability of gypsum would not only help revive the POP manufacturing sector but also protect thousands of jobs and safeguard investments made by local entrepreneurs.
The industry further pointed out that inadequate local supplies force manufacturers to procure raw material from outside at higher rates, increasing production costs and making local units less competitive.
The manufacturers have urged the Chief Minister to intervene urgently, saying that unless gypsum supplies are restored immediately, more POP units could be forced to shut down, putting employment and substantial industrial investment at risk.
