In a novel initiative, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to provide sand for construction free of cost in an effort to curb rampant illegal sand mining and pilferage.
The state cabinet has given the green light to the new policy which will replace the existing system of supply of sand through women self-help groups, which have apparently failed to deliver the goods.
The new AP Sand Policy 2016 envisages unlimited supply of sand from the 406 sand reaches spread across 13 districts through 25 depots. However the consumer has to pay for transportation charges and will be barred from storing sand. Andhra Pradesh has 3, 11, 69,962 cubic metres of sand available which could fetch a whopping Rs 95,953 lakhs.
Earlier, the government entrusted the responsibility to 368 DWACRA groups allowing them to retain 25 % share of the annual revenue for operations and maintenance of the mines and introduced an online system for booking sand. However, the delay in supply of sand even after booking online has forced the government to change its policy. “The delay in procuring sand is giving rise to black marketing and affecting realty sector, many projects were delayed due to non-availability of sand,” state minister P Pulla Rao said.
“It was decided to allow sand to be taken for free from existing quarries, but no stocking of the sand will be allowed. Cases under Essential Commodities Act will be registered against anyone found hoarding sand, which is illegal,” the minister said. A task force will also be in place soon to check misuse of sand.