The House Committee of the Legislative Assembly on illegal sand extraction has recommended amendment to the rules to facilitate e-auction of sand blocks to private operators, through the Department of Mines and Geology, in view of the inability of Public Works Department (PWD) to handle extraction and transportation.
The issue rocked the Assembly with the Opposition alleging rampant illegal sand extraction with the support of people at the helm of affairs. The report by House Committee, headed by S. Rafique Ahmed, MLA for Tumakuru, stated that of 829 sand blocks identified in the State, 592 had got environment clearance. PWD is excavating sand in 219 blocks, while it has been auctioned to private operators in 373 blocks.
The committee also recommended amendment of rules to auction sand blocks with 25 hectares through e-tender for five years to private operators for excavating and transportation of sand. Another important recommendation was amendment of the norms to facilitate excavation of sand from the dry riverbeds with the help of machines, to meet the demand.
