• Nirani announces slew of measures to liberalise sand policy
• Rs 300/tonne fixed to extract sand from gorges, streams and reserves
• Only 183 blocks allowed across Karnataka
• Cess on tipper, lorry and other vehicles transporting sand
• Karnataka Mineral Industrial Development Board to be set up on the lines of KIADB
• Single-window agency to clear applications for mining proposals
• Department aims to collect Rs 3,750 crore revenue during 2020-21
• Mining Adalats started in four revenue divisions and coastal region
• Mines university to be set up in Karnataka
Bengaluru, February 10: Karnataka Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh R Nirani on Wednesday announced a slew of measures to ensure hassle-free supply of sand to the common man and meeting the demand-supply gap. He expressed the hope that the liberalised policy and investor-friendly measures announced by his department will help construction activities and development of the state.
Addressing a press meet at Vikasa Soudha, Nirani said that the Mines and Geology department has been implementing several structural reforms to stop harassment and ensuring availability of sand easily and at lower prices for those in need. The minister added that the uniform prices will be maintained for sand transportation in Gram Panchayat limits.
“The department has fixed Rs 300/tonne for extracting sand from gorge, streams and reserves. Only 183 blocks allowed across Karnataka. Cess will be levied on tipper, lorry and other vehicles transporting sand and no charges for transporting sand in bullock carts and two-wheelers. Transportation of sand from one district to another district will not be allowed and must be transported in the jurisdictional limits” Nirani maintained.
The District Mineral Foundation trusts existing in the state will handle the issue of drinking water, environmental protection, health, hygiene, education, welfare of women, children, aged and differently-abled people. It will also work on skill development, infrastructure, irrigation, improving air quality, and energy and water conservation in mining districts. Various departments will carry out these works with the grants of our department.
Announcing a new entity, Murugesh Nirani said Mines and Geology department is planning to set up Karnataka Mineral Industrial Development Board on the lines of Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to give further fillip to the sector.
“Single-window agency has been set up for the first time in the department to expedite the disposal of applications of industrialists for mining proposals. Deputy Commissioners will head the committees at the district level while minister will head the state level panel. The DC will clear the applications for investments up to ₹5 crore and panel headed by the minister will approve the projects worth more than ₹5 crore. This will help obtain licenses easily and get rid of red-tapism. The single-window agency will ensure speedy clearance of proposals with coordination among Forest, Environment, Revenue and Home departments”, Nirani stated.
Setting high revenue collection for his department, Nirani said “We aim to collect Rs 3,750 crore revenue during 2020-21 and double the revenue collection for the next financial year. Mining Adalats started in four revenue divisions and coastal region to expedite the process of clearing mining proposals”. The minister further added that the government is aiming to set up a mines university in the state on the lines of National Mines University at Jharkhand’s Dhanbad.
“The department has created sub-divisions at taluk levels. Geologists who have been working in Bengaluru must work at district and taluk levels. This will help avoid untoward incidents and enhance the department’s efficacy” asserted Nirani.
