Punjab cabinet go-ahead to sand mining through e-bidding auctions

Chandigarh : The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday approved fresh mine auctions through progressive e-bidding to boost the state revenue multifold, and bring greater transparency into the mining business.The decision will bring to an end the earlier practice of granting contracts of mines through reverse bidding process.
The decision, taken by the state cabinet under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, is expected to increase the government revenue receipt to around Rs 300 crore, according to an official spokesperson. It will also ensure uninterrupted supply of sand and gravel to the consumers at fair price, he added.
It was also decided at the cabinet meeting that the state government would soon implement the Integrated Mines and Minerals Management System (i3MS) to bring greater transparency into the system. The i3MS is approved by the Centre and has been successfully tried and tested in Odisha, the cabinet noted.
The cabinet also decided to hike the compensation to landowners from Rs 50 to Rs 60 per tonne, the spokesperson said.
The state government is already working on a new mining policy, which is expected to be formulated by the end of the month as per the directives of the Chief Minister. Amarinder had on April 1 reviewed the mining operations in the state, issuing strict instructions to the departments concerned to curb illegal mining.