Maharashtra Introduces Online Platform For Sand Sales To Combat Illegal Mining

The Maharashtra government has introduced a new program to sell sand online at cost price (no profit, no loss). The aim is to make construction materials cheaper and combat illegal mining. 

The decision was made following a state cabinet meeting, during which revisions to the sand mining policy were discussed and agreed upon.

Under the new regulation, sand will be sold through an online platform at a fair and competitive price. The government wants to ensure that buyers receive the material at cost, without any profit or loss. 

This online sand platform will not only benefit consumers but also deter illegal sand mining by streamlining the process of sand acquisition and distribution. It will remove opportunities for exploitation and irregularities.

The updated policy includes requesting tenders for the management of sand mining operations, transportation, and the construction of sand mining depots. 

A technical committee will also be established to oversee sand extraction activities in creeks and rivers. This will increase monitoring and control measures to prevent environmental degradation and promote sustainable resource management.

In 2022, authorities seized several barges and boats during raids against sand mining in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. The raids uncovered unauthorized dredging in the creeks. Sand worth crores was recovered, and equipment used for illegal activity was destroyed.

The new online system for selling sand is a revolutionary step towards affordability and regulation. It aims to make sand more affordable for the public and prevent illegal mining. 

The process will be streamlined through tender management, fixed pricing, and free sand for eligible households. 

A technical committee will monitor sand reserves to ensure they are not depleted and that the mining process is environmentally sustainable.

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The selling price of sand has been fixed at Rs. 1200 per brass for the Mumbai metropolitan region and Rs. 600 per brass for other regions. The government is also working on minimizing transportation costs to make sand easily accessible to all.

By selling sand online, the government hopes to curb illegal activities and create a more transparent and accountable system. The new policy will ensure that sand is available at a fair price and that the environment is also protected during the mining process.