Alka Tiwari, the Chief Secretary, has ordered all Deputy Commissioners to finalize the auctioning of all commercial sand ghats across the state by the first half of September. The aim is to streamline the process. Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to thoroughly grasp the new sand policy before the auctions to ensure transparency and prevent any technical setbacks. This involves providing essential training to both the Deputy Commissioners and mining officials. The objective is to empower them to conduct the auctions with a high degree of clarity and preparedness, crucial for the state’s interests.
The new sand policy seeks to provide sand to consumers at affordable rates, crack down on illicit sand businesses, and reduce the inflow of sand from other states. These directives were communicated by the Chief Secretary during a video conference involving all Deputy Commissioners to address the sand ghat auctions.
Arwa Rajkamal, Mining Secretary, and Rahul Sinha, Mining Director, highlighted the vital role of Deputy Commissioners in the sand ghat auctions, working together with the mining department. The officials were encouraged to give this matter their full attention and to conduct the auctions with complete clarity and preparation. Additionally, the officials were advised to perform a mock drill of the auction and brief potential bidders on the entire process. The provision of a helpline was also recommended.
The Green Tribunal’s ban on sand mining is set to be lifted after October 15. Completing the auction before that date will enable mining to begin promptly and prevent any potential sand scarcity within the state. The government will not dictate sand prices directly, but the administration will manage the legitimate sand trade. Deputy Commissioners will have the power to cancel contracts for those who fail to comply with the rules.
Sand ghats have been split into two groups. The first group consists of sand ghats covering less than five hectares, managed by the Gram Sabha, with 374 such sites. The second group involves auctioning sand ghats that are larger than 5 hectares. Approximately 60 groups, integrating both small and large sand ghats, have been formed for this purpose. No individual will be allocated a sand ghat exceeding one thousand hectares, nor will they be granted contracts for more than two groups. The entire auction procedure was shared with the Deputy Commissioners through a PPT. Rajiv Lochan Bakshi from SIA addressed environmental concerns related to mining, while representatives from Jaip IT explained the technical details of the auction process.