Aadhaar card of buyers mandatory for sale of sand through sand depots
| Date :29-Apr-2023 |
Staff Reporter
Maharashtra Government has unveiled the finer print of the new Sand Policy, under which the citizens will get sand at the rate of Rs 600/- per brass or Rs 133/- per metric tonne on a pilot basis for one year. As per the details, it will be mandatory for the buyers to submit a photocopy of their Aadhaar card while purchasing sand. According to sources, the new policy is likely to be implemented in State from May 1.
State Cabinet had taken the decision earlier to make available sand to citizens through sand depots. A few days ago, Revenue and Forest Department released finer details under the policy. Accordingly, the policy will be implemented on pilot basis for a period of one year. Sand ghats will be identified and auctioned through e-tender process. The sand extracted from identified sand ghats will be transported to designated sand depots, from where it will be sold to buyers. Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) will head the Taluka Sand Monitoring Committee, and Collector will chair the District Sand Monitoring Committee. The district-level committee will get sand blocks digitised with the help of Maharashtra Remote Sensing Applications Centre or through recognised agent, as per requirement.
The sand will be sold from sand depots though ‘Mahakhanij’ software application. The buyers will have to register their demand on ‘Mahakhanij’ application. For those who are unable to register the demand on the said application, may do so through Setu Kendra in respective district. They will have to submit their Aadhaar card as part of mandatory compliance. One family will get 50 metric tonnes of sand at a time. If it wishes to get more sand, they can register the demand for the same at least one month after the receipt of the sand as per previous demand.
It has been made mandatory for the buyers to lift the sought stock of sand from the depot within15 days of registering the demand. Tehsildar concerned has been empowered to grant extension in this period, if required. As the buyers are expected to bear the cost of transport of sand from depot, the District Collector in consultation with Transport Department will decide the rate of transport vehicle-wise and in per kilometre terms. Once finalised, the rate will be displayed on the Mahakhanij system for the public.
Some aspects from the old policy have been retained. For instance, it is mandatory to secure recommendation of Gram Sabha concerned for tenders of sand extraction and transport. The excavation will not be allowed from June 10 to September 30, that is, in monsoon season. Also, excavation can be carried out between 6 am and 6 pm only. If the firm to which tender for extraction has been awarded extracts sand in violation of this period, such extraction will be considered as ‘illegal’ and the firm concerned will face action. As per the new policy, the District Collector will have to reserve appropriate sand ghat for big projects of Central/State Government. Also, the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will get sand for free from sand depot, once they get permission in writing from the Tehsildar concerned after due scrutiny of list of beneficiaries.