In order to encourage entrepreneurs to produce ‘M-Sand’, the Uttar Pradesh government is contemplating a new policy that will grant industry status to all ‘M-Sand’ units operating in the state.
The government also proposes to give the benefit of MSME to these units. Additionally, fixed power costs and mineral royalties are also being considered for M-Sand units.
M-sand is produced by crushing large stones into fine particles, which are then cleaned and finely graded. It is widely used as a substitute for river sand in construction work.
“Yogi Adityanath government is coming up with a new policy to promote alternatives to river sand used in construction work and curb illegal sand mining. The policy will focus on the promotion of manufactured sand (M-Sand), which is produced by crushing stones,” a government spokesman said.
He said the final draft of the M-Sand Policy would be prepared after considering the suggestions received from the stakeholders and would be implemented in the state after getting approval from the cabinet.
The Directorate of Geology and Mining, Uttar Pradesh, has recently discussed a draft of the M-Sand policy with various stakeholders.
Additional director, Directorate of Geology and Mining, Vipin Kumar Jain said: “There is a provision in the policy to give industry status to M-Sand units. Under this, all M-Sand units will be given the benefits of industry status by the Directorate of Industry and Enterprise Promotion, Uttar Pradesh. Along with this, a provision is proposed to provide benefits of the MSME Promotion Policy 2022 as well.”
As per the policy draft discussed with the stakeholders, the M-Sand manufacturing units will get the benefit of fixed power costs. Under this, reimbursement will be given at the rate of one rupee per unit for 5 years from the date of the commercial production.
There will also be a provision for mineral royalty, under which royalty exemption will be provided on source rock. Furthermore, 25 percent of the M-Sand produced will be used in all government engineering departments, including PWD and later on this percentage will be increased to 50, so that the consumption of sand units can increase.