TV
In a bid to curb illegal sand mining, the Odisha government introduced a stringent Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at preventing unauthorised transportation and ensuring transparency in sand mining operations.
According to sources, new regulations include the installation of CCTV cameras at sand quarries, deployment of security guards, and placing block authorities in charge of ghats.
As per the new SOP, panchayats will manage the ghats, ensuring community participation in monitoring and operations. A district-level committee, chaired by Collector and including SP, DFO, ADM, and 12 other officials, will oversee mining activities.
The committee will verify sources, define boundaries with pillar markers, and auction sand mines for a tenure of five years. The Block Development Officer (BDO) will issue release orders for sand, while Tehsildars will lead enforcement squads to curb illegal mining.
The SOP also mandates a special committee under the sarpanch's leadership to oversee sand operations, appointing two security guards and an accountant. Their salaries will be covered by the Panchayati Raj department. Furthermore, the organisations acquiring the sand mines will have to make one-time payments for all applicable fees before commencing operations.
“The SOP can curb the illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of sand in the State,” Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said.
Crackdown on Illegal Mining Pays Off
Over the past 11 months, the State government has imposed fines totaling Rs 40.73 crore on offenders involved in illegal sand mining. In a series of 3,123 raids, authorities have seized 3,895 vehicles engaged in illegal transportation. From 2021 to 2023, the State collected Rs 195.27 crore in fines related to sand smuggling.
“This is a very welcome step. With the implementation of the SOP, three persons will get employment at each ghat which will benefit 10,000 youth,” said Ashok Puhan, a sarpanch.
