Thu May 22 09:55:35 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article written from the perspective of The Hindu newspaper:
**Summary:**
The Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association has called off a planned indefinite strike after receiving assurances from the Minister for Natural Resources. The association was protesting the prolonged closure of sand quarries, demanding their reopening, action against overloading of lorries, and lower prices for manufactured sand and gravel. Minister Regupathy assured them that the Supreme Court had clarified there was no ban on reopening quarries, and that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister. He also promised action against overloading and regulatory violations.
**News Article:**
**Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Strike Averted Following Ministerial Assurances**
**Namakkal, May 22, 2025** – An indefinite strike planned by the Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association has been called off following a breakthrough meeting with Minister for Natural Resources S. Regupathy. The strike, scheduled to begin tomorrow, aimed to pressure the state government to reopen sand quarries that have remained closed for the past eighteen months.
The association, led by President Sella Rajamani, had voiced concerns over the prolonged closure of quarries, the rampant overloading of lorries, and the high prices of M-Sand, P-Sand, and gravel. In a press release issued earlier today, Rajamani stated that the strike was intended to halt all lorry operations across the state in support of these demands.
However, Minister Regupathy, in his first official engagement since assuming office, held talks with association representatives and quarry owners on May 20th. He conveyed that the Supreme Court, in a ruling delivered on May 19th, had clarified that there is no legal impediment to the reopening of quarries within Tamil Nadu. He assured the association that he would immediately bring the matter to the attention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin upon receipt of the official court order.
Furthermore, the Minister pledged decisive action against lorries found to be in violation of weight restrictions and against quarries flouting established regulations.
“We are pleased with the Minister’s assurances and his commitment to addressing our concerns,” stated Rajamani in the press release. “In light of these developments, we have decided to withdraw the proposed indefinite strike.”
The resolution of this issue comes as a relief to the construction industry and related sectors, which rely heavily on the supply of sand and gravel. The Hindu will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as they become available.
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