Chandigarh: Promise to Provide sand and gravel at “minimum affordable rates” for the public, Punjab The cabinet on Tuesday approved the Punjab State Sand and Gravel Mining Policy, 2021 to make available sand and gravel at Rs 5.50 per cubic feet across the state.
As per the new policy, sand and gravel will be made available to the public at the rate of Rs 5.5 per feet along with loading charges at mining sites. Apart from this, the royalty rate for ordinary clay and ordinary clay will be reduced from Rs 10 per tonne to Rs 2.5 per tonne.
Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi After the cabinet meeting, he said, ‘Sand mafia has been an important issue in Punjab. Despite the accepted rate being Rs 9 per cubic foot, sand was earlier sold for between Rs 16 and Rs 22 per cubic foot and we tried to ensure that there was no exorbitant price. Today, the cabinet has decided to reduce the rate by Rs 5.50 per cubic foot, excluding transportation charges, starting Wednesday. The contractor will ensure the filling and weighing of sand. On an experimental basis, I had directed the SSP and DC to apply the approved rate.
He also promised a new sand mining policy before the next election. “We don’t appreciate the current policy, but it is binding, and we don’t want to get into legal trouble,” he said.
“I am responsible if sand is sold at a higher price. It is up to us to enforce the rules. Till now, money was being misappropriated but we will wipe out the mafia,” he said.
As per the new mining policy, landowners or owners can dispose of ordinary soil extracted while leveling their agricultural fields to 3 feet. Removal of any minor mineral is permitted by the landowner/panchayat to meet their land filling requirements and their actual needs including religious and development activities. These activities do not require any rent, royalty or permit fees and do not require any permits. These activities shall not be interrupted by the officers and contractors without any valid reason and disciplinary action will be initiated if any officer or contractor is found guilty.
The spokesman said that dedicated toll free numbers would be provided to the consumers to lodge complaints regarding the rates, if any charges exceed the prescribed rates.
Notably, mineral concessions of sand and gravel mines in the state of Punjab have been granted through e-auction to various concessionaires as per Punjab Sand and Gravel Mining Policy, 2018. The quantity to be mined was fixed at 350 lakh metric tonnes. With this policy annually, the Government has fixed the pit head sale price of sand and gravel at Rs.9/cft including loading charges. Average selling price of sand and gravel in different cities of Punjab depending on the distance of source to destination is Rs. 20/cft to Rs. Varies up to 35/cft.
As per the new policy, sand and gravel will be made available to the public at the rate of Rs 5.5 per feet along with loading charges at mining sites. Apart from this, the royalty rate for ordinary clay and ordinary clay will be reduced from Rs 10 per tonne to Rs 2.5 per tonne.
Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi After the cabinet meeting, he said, ‘Sand mafia has been an important issue in Punjab. Despite the accepted rate being Rs 9 per cubic foot, sand was earlier sold for between Rs 16 and Rs 22 per cubic foot and we tried to ensure that there was no exorbitant price. Today, the cabinet has decided to reduce the rate by Rs 5.50 per cubic foot, excluding transportation charges, starting Wednesday. The contractor will ensure the filling and weighing of sand. On an experimental basis, I had directed the SSP and DC to apply the approved rate.
He also promised a new sand mining policy before the next election. “We don’t appreciate the current policy, but it is binding, and we don’t want to get into legal trouble,” he said.
“I am responsible if sand is sold at a higher price. It is up to us to enforce the rules. Till now, money was being misappropriated but we will wipe out the mafia,” he said.
As per the new mining policy, landowners or owners can dispose of ordinary soil extracted while leveling their agricultural fields to 3 feet. Removal of any minor mineral is permitted by the landowner/panchayat to meet their land filling requirements and their actual needs including religious and development activities. These activities do not require any rent, royalty or permit fees and do not require any permits. These activities shall not be interrupted by the officers and contractors without any valid reason and disciplinary action will be initiated if any officer or contractor is found guilty.
The spokesman said that dedicated toll free numbers would be provided to the consumers to lodge complaints regarding the rates, if any charges exceed the prescribed rates.
Notably, mineral concessions of sand and gravel mines in the state of Punjab have been granted through e-auction to various concessionaires as per Punjab Sand and Gravel Mining Policy, 2018. The quantity to be mined was fixed at 350 lakh metric tonnes. With this policy annually, the Government has fixed the pit head sale price of sand and gravel at Rs.9/cft including loading charges. Average selling price of sand and gravel in different cities of Punjab depending on the distance of source to destination is Rs. 20/cft to Rs. Varies up to 35/cft.
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