Govt to supply quality sand in sacks for easy availability to consumers

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, July 01, 2021: In a first of its kind scheme, the Karnataka government will supply sand in sacks to ensure easy availability of quality sand to the consumers at affordable prices.

 

The announcement was made by Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh R Nirani on Wednesday after chairing a virtual meeting with deputy commissioners (DC), Deputy Conservators of Forests and other senior officials of the department at Vikasa Soudha on Wednesday.

"The scheme is aimed at providing 50 kg of sand in a sack at an affordable price and limiting the huge losses due to transportation. The government’s aim is to supply quality sand in sacks at affordable prices to all the consumers and ensure easy availability of sand across the state. Those constructing the houses and others will now get sand without any hassle at affordable rates," Nirani said.

The mines and geology department through its agency will sell the sand in sacks just like the beverages which are being sold by the government through the Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Ltd (KSBCL), he added.

Elaborating further on the policy, the minister said that the supply of sand in sacks will greatly help the consumers and check up to 25-30 per cent wastage of sand.
“Supply of sand in sacks will benefit consumers and help check the wastage and loss due to transportation. Consumers can now buy 1 tonne of sand and even bigger quantities. These units will be started at five places in the state on an experimental basis and all the necessary training including preparing sacks and transportation will be provided to people involved in the business,” Nirani added.

The sacks will classified as per grade A, B and C at the stockyards. Sand mining is allowed for six months and extraction of sand is disallowed when the rivers get copious inflows.

“Supplying sand in sacks will help save transportation costs and also address the problem of shortage and overpricing. We can store and supply the sand anytime after packing it in a sack. We will not collect any royalties from those who construct the house at a cost of Rs 5 lakh. We have been supplying subsidized sand to the poor and those below poverty line for construction of Ashraya houses at gram panchayat level,” Nirani added.

’identify sand blocks’

The minister has directed officials to identify the grade I, II and III sand blocks on the river banks and also allowed extraction of sand through KSMCL and HGML in grade IV, V and VI river banks.

Questioning the officials over delays in identifying sand blocks in some districts, Nirani asked them to complete the process at the earliest and conduct surveys through drones by floating new tenders or re-tendering.

The minister said the new sand policy is ready and it will be implemented after discussion with Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa at the earliest.

Detailed project report to implement mega projects

Nirani has further instructed the officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to implement mega projects using mining funds in mining-affected Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Ballari districts.

The minister conducted a separate video-conferencing with the Deputy Commissioners and Deputy Conservators of Forests of these three districts and directed them to prepare a DPR.

"Government can utilise the funds under DMF for education, health, drinking water, hygiene, community hall and other basic infrastructure facilities," he said.

The minister told the officials that the DPR should convince the supreme court about the utilisation of DMF funds for the implementation of schemes in Chitradurga, Tumakuru and Ballari.

Courtesy:India Today