Allow sand mining by pvt parties, panel tells govt

Criticising the Public Works Department (PWD) for failing to ensure adequate mining and distribution of sand, a Legislature committee has recommended the government to hand over sand blocks to private parties.

The study team of the House Committee on Illegal Sand Mining, headed by Congress MLA Rafeeq Ahmed, has submitted its report to the government, which was tabled in the Assembly on Monday. The panel has opined that the failure of PWD in ensuring adequate sand to the public has made it necessary to amend the existing rules.

Of the 829 sand blocks identified, environment clearance has been obtained for only 592 blocks. Mining activities are being undertaken in 219 blocks by the PWD. As the PWD has failed to utilise the remaining blocks, it has been recommended that sand mining activities be given to private agencies by floating e-tenders.

The Mines and Geology department should frame draft rules for tender-cum-auction (in not more than 25 hectares) and also amend the existing laws to ensure immediate availability of sand for public consumption, it said.  The government should introduce a single window system to grant no-objection certificates from various departments. It has recommended setting up of more number of checkposts to prevent sand smuggling to other states. Subsidies should be given to entrepreneurs who want to set up M-Sand units, it added. Those found indulging in illegal sand mining should be imprisoned for a minimum of two years and/or levied a fine of Rs 1 lakh.