Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary has issued a directive to all Deputy Commissioners to finalize the auction of the state’s commercial sand ghats by the first half of September. The aim is to ensure a smooth and transparent process, according to the instructions. Deputy Commissioners are required to fully understand the new sand policy before the auction to avoid any technical complications. This entails providing basic training to the Deputy Commissioners, along with mining officials, to ensure their comprehensive preparation. The focus is to enable the officials to conduct the auction with clarity and precision, a critical step for the state’s interests.
The new sand policy is designed to supply sand to consumers at affordable prices, halt illegal sand operations, and curb sand imports from other states. The Chief Secretary conveyed these instructions during a video conference with all Deputy Commissioners, addressing the sand ghat auctions.
Mining Secretary Arwa Rajkamal and Mining Director Rahul Sinha emphasized the essential role of Deputy Commissioners in the sand ghat auctions, working in collaboration with the mining department. They urged the officials to approach this task with seriousness and to conduct the auction with complete clarity and preparation. Furthermore, the officials were advised to conduct a mock drill of the auction process and to provide information to the bidders. Additionally, the provision of a helpline was also emphasized.
The Green Tribunal’s ban on sand mining is set to expire after October 15. Therefore, early completion of the auction will allow timely mining operations and will prevent potential sand shortages in the state. It was also clarified that the government would not set the prices for sand, but the administration will be in charge of the lawful sand trade. Deputy Commissioners will have the power to cancel contracts if the regulations are not followed.
Sand ghats will be categorized into two types. The first category includes sand ghats spanning less than five hectares, and these will be managed by the Gram Sabha. There are 374 such sand ghats. The second category involves auctioning sand ghats larger than 5 hectares. Approximately 60 groups, encompassing both small and large sand ghats, have been created for this purpose. No single person will be granted a sand ghat exceeding one thousand hectares, and no more than two group contracts will be awarded. The entire auction process was presented to the Deputy Commissioners through a PPT presentation. Environmental aspects related to mining were discussed by Rajiv Lochan Bakshi, a member of SIA. The technical aspects of the auction were explained by Jaip IT representatives to avoid any confusion.