Grama Panchayats to distribute sand

Houses under various housing schemes to be benefitted

The recent order, issued by the State government empowering Grama Panchayats to distribute sand extracted from patta and government lands for local construction purpose has brought smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries of housing schemes.

Due to non-availability of sand, thousands of houses under construction under various housing schemes like Basava and Indira Awas had come to a screeching halt and could not be completed within the stipulated time.

In Chamarajanagar district alone, 6,000 houses that were sanctioned for the year 2014-15 could not be completed, leaving more than 4,000 houses under various stages of construction.

The houses sanctioned for the current year too are facing acute shortage of sand. Now, the government has issued orders, giving powers to the GPs to distribute the sand extracted locally to eligible beneficiaries.

Sand Committee

The District Sand Committee has been made in-charge of identifying the sites for sand extraction, which can be used for construction of government buildings, houses under various schemes and also to be distributed among private persons.

Besides river beds, sand is available on patta and government lands. But, sand can be distributed by the GP only after getting necessary permission from the District Committee.

Provision

According to the Mines and Minerals Act, 1994, 31T(5), there is provision to distribute sand available under GP limits. According to 31U(5), GPs have the power to permit extraction, collection and sale of sand.

If sand is identified on patta lands, agreement should me made with land owners and obtain ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC). The District Sand Committee should be approached with the NOC for permission, after which the sand can be used for local construction purpose.

The price of the sand is fixed by the GPs after taking into consideration the Vat, maintenance fee, district administration expenses, permit, security sheet and others. An application has to be submitted by the parties to the GP, clearly stating the quantity of sand required, quality, utility purpose, mode of transport (bullock cart, auto), date of supply and other details.

Responsibility

The GP has the responsibility to obtain a demand draft from the panchayat office, getting online trip sheet and reach the sand to the customers.

The Deputy Director of Mines and Geology of the districts should monitor the sand being distributed by the GPs, along with tax to be paid to the government every month, as per the directions of K Venkatesh, official of the Mines wing, at the District Industries Centre.