Now, sand mining will be a green affair

The state government has decided to impose 2% environment charge on sand mining to protect the environment in the region where the extraction is allowed, says a state government draft policy that was approved on Wednesday. Besides, 10% of the royalty revenue will be reserved for the development of the area and for the administrative works.

The Bombay high court had recently slammed the government on its sand mining policy and directed it to revise it, saying that the damage to the river beds was resulting in serious threat of flood or diversion of water flow.

The new policy has provision of monetary allocation as well as ban on mining in the areas where the river beds have deteriorated beyond control.

The policy has proposed that the 2% of the royalty amount be paid as the environment charge from contractor before handing over the possession of the mining sites. The amount collected as the environment fund will be utilised for the conservation and protection of the environment of the area.

The policy also has provision of banning the mining where the riverbed has sand layer less than 6 feet in depth.

Revenue minister Narayan Rane said his department expected the ban on mining to be lifted shortly as the government had complied with the court order. “We expect that the revenue this year will be Rs1,400 crore as against Rs800 crore last year. Revenue officials working under the district collectors will monitor the mining and ensure that the norms and rules are not violated,” he said.

Rane said the final authority of the contract had been given to the sub-divisional officer, as most gram sabhas tend to oppose sand mining.