: The State government has backtracked on allotting sand mining to DWCRA self-help groups and has decided to go for open auction, besides coming up with a new sand policy from February 1. Till then, the existing practice will be continued and a Cabinet sub-committee will be constituted to finalise the parameters for fixing price and other modalities of the new policy.
A decision to this effect was taken during a marathon Cabinet meeting held here on Wednesday. Briefing media persons, Information and Public Relations Minister P. Raghunatha Reddy said in the open auction of sand mining, anybody, including DWCRA groups, could participate.
Under the new policy, the government would be fixing the price per unit. The bids would be allotted to persons or groups, which offer the highest premium to government after deducting the expenditure like loading, unloading, labour costs etc. The same would be applicable to those operating reaches in patta and private lands, the Minister said.
Robo sand
The area, which facilitates mining for one lakh cubic metres sand, would be identified as a sand reach. Sand available at streams and rivulets would be utilised for government works such as construction of toilets, buildings, etc. Auctions would be conducted for sand reaches in tributaries and major rivers.
District-level sand committees headed by Joint Collectors would be constituted to monitor the activities at reaches. Emphasis would be laid on promoting production of robo sand and the government would extend subsidy in power, VAT etc, he said.
The move to come out with a new policy was hinted at by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu when he released a white paper on the sand policy last month.
Auctions will be conducted for sand reaches in tributaries and major rivers
Palle Raghunatha Reddy
I&PR Minister
