Sand is snowballing into another major controversy that is likely to impact revenue generation in Ranchi district besides, making the material dear for the construction industry. Amid the allegations of widespread irregularities in the challan system truck owners have stopped lifting sand from riverbeds along Subarnarekha River which has resulted in supply crunch in the district.
Sand truck owners association has cited loopholes in the royalty collection process and has pointed out finger towards the gross irregularities being practised in the name of companies which have been given sand mining lease by State government. The association alleged harassment by unknown people who are issuing challans without proper authority.
“Whatever challan has to be issued it has to be done at the point of loading. But some people have obtained a challan book and they are issuing challans at arbitrary spots in the city. No official is ever present while vehicle carrying sand is issued challan,” said spokesperson of Jharkhand Truck Owner Association, P Khan.
The association’s strike to end the harassment has entered fourth day but no action has been taken against people using the opportunity to mint money despite the Assistant Mines Officer Yogendra Baraik assuring action against companies for issuing challans. Baraik was not available for his comments on action taken so far by the district administration.
After State government had imposed moratorium on further auction of mining rights in Jharkhand a due process had to be followed in the three districts where the quarrying rights have been granted to three companies--The Mills Store Company Mumbai Pvt ltd, Mahavir Infra Pvt ltd and Meridian Realtors Pvt ltd. The companies have approached State level Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for obtaining environmental clearances but no development has been recorded yet. Incidentally, the clearance is granted under Environment Pollution Notification of 2004 and after recommendation from the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC). The entire process takes two months' time.
Following State Government’s decision to postpone auction and restoring rights of riverbeds to Panchayats quarrying in Ranchi district was reportedly done by Gram Sabhas. But no Gram Sabha has applied for environmental clearance to begin sand quarrying.
“No Panchayat has applied for environmental clearance (for sand quarrying),” said an official of SEIAA seeking anonymity.
Meanwhile, the truck owner’s association has accused district administration of turning a blind eye towards the quantum of challan issued to a truck. The challan has reached to Rs9-per cubic-feet (cft) from Rs4.53-per cft and is likely to be reflected in the final price to the customer as the association is planning to prolong the strike due to administration’s apathy. However, no one from
district administration was available for comments on resolving the issue.
“We are not relenting. Massive protest is in the offing if the matter is not resolved in next few days,” said Khan.
Price of sand has increased by 50 per cent since 2013 and with the rise in the challan it could go up by another 50 per cent unless the issue is resolved.