To ensure that sand and gravel are available at reasonable rates to the general public, Punjab Government’s Mining Department is all set to introduce public mining sites in the state.

Terming the decision as “historic” and “path-breaking” initiative, the state’s Mining and Geology Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Monday said that these sites will help in checking any malpractice to jack up the prices of sand and truly give the freedom of choice to the common man to buy sand from the source of his choice and at the price of his choice.

“The Chief Minister would shortly announce details of all such sites in various districts in the State. The first public mining site would be inaugurated soon itself,” he added.

Hayer said that the Mining Department will leave no stone unturned to fulfill the commitment made by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to provide affordable and easy sand to the people of the state.

Divulging details, the Minister said: “The public mining site would be a mine where any person, requiring sand for his personal use, can purchase it by paying only Rs 5.50 per square feet. Such a person would be required to get his own transport vehicle along with labour to extract the required quantity of sand from the site.”

“No JCBs or any other similar form of mechanical mining would be allowed in any public mining site nor would any contractors be allowed to mine in it. Government officials would be present on the site to collect the sale price and issue a proper receipt against it,” he added.

Elaborating on the availability of sand and gravel in the state, the Minister said that mining operations had resumed in Ropar and Pathankot districts and would soon commence in other districts too. “The Department is making all out efforts to ensure that sand and gravel were available at reasonable rates to the public and rates have already started seeing a downward trend,” he added.

Transporters, crusher owners, and miners have been cautioned against overcharging and Deputy Commissioners have been asked to depute teams to randomly call up the consumers to inquire about the rate paid by them for sand or gravel, he disclosed.

Sending out a clear warning to mischief mongers, the Minister cautioned the crushers, transporters, and miners against overcharging the customers, failing which they would be denied commercial access to minor minerals in the state. Hayer exuded confidence that the supply line would be completely streamlined in a few days.