Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann inaugurates 17 new public sand mines
Jalandhar, February 17: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday inaugurated 17 new manual, public mines from Mao Sahib falling in Phillaur. The Chief Minister further announced that sand would be available from here for just Rs 5.5 per cubic feet.
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The Chief Minister, while interacting with the media after dedicating 17 more Public mines to people here, said that so far 33 public mines have been dedicated in 14 districts and the state government will soon operationalise 150 public sand mines for the convenience of people.
He said that 16 public mines touching six districts were dedicated to people a few days back and today 17 more such mines have been dedicated which will involve eight districts. Bhagwant Mann said that till now 61580 metric ton of sand have been used by people from these public mines adding that it has also given direct and indirect employment to several youths.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has eradicated the sand mafia which had flexed its muscles in the past to ensure that people get cheap sand. Bhagwant Mann said that now the sand will be sold at just Rs.5.50 in each of these public mining sites thereby giving a major reprieve to the people. He said that only manual excavation of sand will be permitted in these public mining sites and no mechanical excavation of sand will be allowed.
He categorically added that no mining contractor will be allowed to operate in these public mining sites. Bhagwant Mann said that sand from public mining sites will only be sold for use in construction of non-commercial projects. He said that sale of sand will happen only till sunset and a government official will always be present to regulate the extraction of sand at each public mining site.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has built an app which will give complete information to people about public mining sites and will even facilitate online payments. He said that it will ensure supply of cheap sand to the people and check their exploitation by contractors and transporters. Bhagwant Mann said that it is now one of the lowest rates at which sand is available to any person across the country.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha.
- PTC NEWS
