The Bombay High Court today refused to lift the stay on sand mining across the state.
The High Court had in September imposed the stay as the government failed to frame a policy on sand mining as per the court's directive in May this year.
Today, state advocate general Ravi Kadam requested the court to vacate the stay saying that the state cabinet has already finalised the policy but a Government Resolution (GR) is yet to be issued.
The court said it would vacate the stay only after government places the GR before it. The hearing has been adjourned till Monday.
The court had imposed the ban, as the damage done to river beds by sand excavation has become a serious environmental issue.
The ban was imposed in response to a petition filed by the Sagar Shramik Hatpati Walu Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit.