In a historic decision to provide sand & gravel topublic at large at minimum affordable rates, the Punjab Cabinet led by ChiefMinister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday approved the Punjab State Sand andGravel Mining Policy, 2021 to provide sand and gravel at Rs. 5.50/cubic feetacross the state.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the ChiefMinister's Office said that as per new policy the sand and gravel shall beprovided to the public at Rs. 5.5/cft at mining sites including loadingcharges. Further, the royalty rate of ordinary clay and ordinary earth shall bedecreased from Rs. 10 per ton to Rs. 2.5 per ton in public interest.
According to the new mining policy, the land owner orpossessor can dispose of ordinary earth extracted/removed during the levelingof their agriculture fields up to 3-feet. Removal of any minor mineral by theland owner/panchayat is allowed for meeting their land-filling requirements andfor their bona-fide requirements including religious and developmentactivities. These activities do not require any rent, royalty or permit fee andno permit is required. These activities shall not be hindered by the officialsand contractors without any valid reason and disciplinary action shall beinitiated if any official or contractor is found guilty.
Due publicity shall be done for the information of publicat large through mass media, notice boards at pit head of the mine sites,Government Offices & its premises to ensure that no one charges rates morethan the prescribed ones. In case of any violation by the concessionaire,strict action will be taken as per rules.
Dedicated toll free number shall be made available to theconsumers to register their complaint regarding rates, if ever charged morethan prescribed ones, added the spokesperson.
Notably, the mineral concessions of sand & gravelmines in the Punjab State have been awarded through e-Auction to the variousconcessionaires in accordance to Punjab Sand and Gravel Mining Policy, 2018.Quantities to be mined were fixed at 350 lac metric tonnes per annum. With thispolicy, the Government has fixed the pit head selling price of sand and gravel@ Rs. 9/cft including loading charges. The average sale price of the sand andgravel in various cities of Punjab varies from Rupees 20/cft to Rupees 35/cftdepending upon distance source to destination.