TS announces new sand mining policy

Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation will appoint contractors through competitive bidding for excavation of sand in reaches identified by district-level committees

The Telangana government on Friday introduced new Sand Mining Policy-2014, replacing the existing system of draw of lots from eligible applicants for the allotment of sand reaches.

Special Chief Secretary (Industries) K. Pradeep Chandra said in the GO issued on Friday that sand available from major rivers, tributaries and backwaters of reservoirs including de-siltation would be excavated by Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC) after obtaining statutory clearances.

The TSMDC would appoint contractors through competitive bidding for excavation of sand in reaches identified by district-level committees.

The sand thus excavated would be moved to stockyards set up and managed by TSMDC near sand reaches and in urban habitations, particularly in Municipal Corporations, for sale of sand to all consumers -- small, medium or large.

Sale to be monitored

Sale of sand in the stockyards would be monitored through electronic surveillance system (CCTVs) and electronic documentation would be linked to a central monitoring facility.

The way-bills for transportation of sand would be issues by TSMDC and the vehicles carrying sand would be tracked by GPS.

The sand available from rivers and streams would be divided into five categories depending on size and capacity of the reach with small stream or ‘vagu’ in villages falling under the first category while major rivers such as Krishna and Godavari under fifth category.

Sand in category I and II streams would be left to local body/villagers for local needs, government-sponsored weaker section housing for which no seigniorage would be collected.

However, sand from such sources for construction of school buildings, community halls and others would be allowed with payment of seigniorage by the consuming agency. Sand in category III, IV and V sources would be allowed for exploitation subject to WALTA Rules.

Preliminary identification of sand in the last three categories would be done by the Mines and Geology Department in consultation with the Irrigation, Ground Water and Revenue Departments.

These reaches would include left banks of Tungabhadra , Krishna including project backwaters, Godavari and its tributaries and all project de-siltation areas.