Considering the seriousness of sand ghat issue that has paralysed construction industry very severely in Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Chadrashekhar Dubey said a proposal in this regard would be brought in the Cabinet meeting next week. He also stressed that decision in this regard would be done in favour of rural elected bodies only.
“No auctioning for sand has taken place since Independence. Rule says that auctioning for sand cannot take place and the right lies with Panchayats. The revenue generated would also be used by the Panchayats only through Gram Sabha. The auction route would make lakhs of people unemployed and I will not this to happen. I will bring the matter into the Cabinet next week in which all the matter would be cleared,” said the flamboyant leader.
The Minister also added that the decision on his part on the issue can considered to be taken and the right would certainly go to the Gram Sabhas. “I am pronouncing my decision. The auctioning has been stopped. Balu panchayat ko hi milega.” Dubey had earlier raised the matter in the Cabinet.
Meanwhile, disappointed at the apathy of government in solving the issue of sand supply the association of sand truck owners has called a meeting tomorrow to chart future strategy to coerce government on the matter.
“We will wait till tomorrow. If we do not get any response from the government we will revisit our strategy on the issue,” said president of the association, U S Ojha
Interestingly, the association was made to call off their indefinite strike on the assurance that a solution to sand quarrying and related issues will be found in a matter of few days.
The strike was called off after Dubey intervened with assurances of putting an end to the matter in the interest of the stake holders in the business of sand quarrying and transportation of the minor mineral.
However, to the chagrin of the protestors neither any solution was found nor any communication regarding steps taken in the direction was made by the Government officials. “Since this matter concerns people of the state we believe that the government will take a decision on the matter as soon as possible,” said Ojha.