 "Madhya Pradesh draws new sand mining policy")
The Madhya Pradesh government today launched its first sand mining policy to make the key building material ingredient's easier and cheaper availability.
The new policy has abrogated mandatory provisions of furnishing mining plan and environment clearances. State has also removed limitations that any mine should not have another mine in radius of 10 kms.
"Probably Madhya Pradesh is the first state to launch its minor mineral policy, particularly for sand mining. This would make easier and cheaper availability of the mineral across the state and would also enhance the state revenue," Narottam Mishra, cabinet minister and government spokesperson said adding, "the state cabinet has approved the policy today."
State has sand mines are operated by district collectors and state mineral development corporate.
The new policy has abrogated mandatory provisions of furnishing mining plan and environment clearances. State has also removed limitations that any mine should not have another mine in radius of 10 kms.
"Probably Madhya Pradesh is the first state to launch its minor mineral policy, particularly for sand mining. This would make easier and cheaper availability of the mineral across the state and would also enhance the state revenue," Narottam Mishra, cabinet minister and government spokesperson said adding, "the state cabinet has approved the policy today."
State has sand mines are operated by district collectors and state mineral development corporate.
As of now, district collectors auctions, operates and controls 1,237 sand mines on an area of 2,677.554 hectare. Of them 1,181 mines on 2,070.01 hectare are of less than 5 hectare while 55 mines are of 607.54 hectare of more than 5 hectare.
The State Mineral Development Corporation operates, auctions and controls 450 sand mines. Of them 285 sand mines of less than 5 hectares while 165 mines are of more than 5 hectare.
The State Mineral Development Corporation operates, auctions and controls 450 sand mines. Of them 285 sand mines of less than 5 hectares while 165 mines are of more than 5 hectare.
The proposed policy would create opportunities for the state to generate revenue of Rs 880 crore against existing Rs 180 crore from auction of 2.28 crore cubic meter of sand each year.
Of this mineral development corporation auctions 1.10 crore cubic meter and generates revenue of Rs 117 crore each year while collectors generate revenue of Rs 63 crore from auction of 1.18 crore cubic meter sand.
Of this mineral development corporation auctions 1.10 crore cubic meter and generates revenue of Rs 117 crore each year while collectors generate revenue of Rs 63 crore from auction of 1.18 crore cubic meter sand.
Under new provisions 18 districts will be fully controlled and operated by the corporation while the collectors will operated in 31 districts.
Under revised plan the sand mines will be of 5 hectares or more with a total area of 9570 hectare across the state. However the number of mines will be 1,009. The collectors will now operated 586 sand mines while the corporation will run 423 mines of 5,033 hectare.
The corporation will levy Rs 125 per cubic meter as royalty and administrative expenses while collectors will also levy equal royalty from an expected quantity of 6.80 crore cubic meter against the total available quantity of 2.28 crore cubic meter earlier.
The new policy expects to generate revenue of Rs 220 crore from collector operated mines while the corporation will churn out Rs 580 crore. The state will get Rs 880 crore revenue against a total of existing Rs 180 crore.
There will be e-acution system for sand mine auction. Panchayat and rural people will have free access to sand mines for personal use.
There will be e-acution system for sand mine auction. Panchayat and rural people will have free access to sand mines for personal use.