Draft of separate sand mining policy for coastal Karnataka ready

Mangaluru: Minister of Mines and Geology Murugesh Nirani has announced that the draft of the separate sand mining policy for coastal Karnataka is ready and will be implemented within a month after consultations with local representatives.

As per the new policy, sand will be sold between Rs 100 and 200 for those building houses under Rs 10 lakhs and for houses costing more than Rs 10 lakhs, Rajaswa will have to be paid.

Additionally, sand distribution will be tracked through a centralized GPS system.

Nirani further stated that ‘gani adalat’ (mine courts) will be conducted by the Revenue Department with the first one to be conducted at Bengaluru on April 30 and all mining permits henceforth will be issued through a single-window system. The Department of Mines will also provide uniforms and Walkie-talkies to its employees.

“Miners operating in less than 2 acres of land will not be required to obtain a license from the Directorate General of Mines Safety. Most of the mines in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are exempted as they are less than 2 acres,” Nirani said.