The Chief Secretary of Jharkhand has mandated that all Deputy Commissioners complete the auction of commercial sand ghats across the state by the first two weeks of September. The primary objective is to ensure a transparent and seamless auction procedure. The directive mandates that Deputy Commissioners familiarize themselves thoroughly with the new sand policy before commencing the auction, thereby mitigating potential technical obstacles. The instruction also underlines the importance of providing fundamental training to both the Deputy Commissioners and mining officials. This is to ensure they can handle the auction process with a clear understanding and preparedness, which is considered crucial for the state.
The new sand policy is designed to guarantee that consumers receive sand at reasonable prices, while simultaneously curbing illegal sand activities and reducing the importation of sand from other states. The Chief Secretary’s directives were communicated through a video conference involving all Deputy Commissioners, specifically addressing the sand ghat auctions.
Mining Secretary Arwa Rajkamal and Mining Director Rahul Sinha underscored the pivotal role of the Deputy Commissioners in the sand ghat auctions, emphasizing their collaboration with the mining department. The Deputy Commissioners were urged to approach this responsibility with utmost seriousness and to conduct the auction with thorough clarity and preparation. Furthermore, the officials were encouraged to conduct a mock drill of the auction process and to educate potential bidders about the entire process. The provision of a helpline was also deemed essential.
The Green Tribunal’s prohibition on mining from sand ghats is scheduled to be lifted post-October 15. Therefore, the early completion of the auction will facilitate the timely commencement of mining operations, thus averting any potential sand shortages within the state. It was also clarified that the government will not directly regulate sand prices, but the administration will oversee the legal sand trade. Deputy Commissioners will be vested with the authority to cancel contracts in instances of non-compliance with regulations.
Sand ghats have been classified into two categories. The initial category encompasses sand ghats spanning less than five hectares, with their operations managed by the Gram Sabha, comprising 374 such sites. The second category involves the auction of sand ghats exceeding 5 hectares in area. Approximately 60 groups, incorporating both small and large sand ghats, have been established for this purpose. A single individual will not be allotted a sand ghat larger than one thousand hectares, nor will they be granted contracts for more than two groups. The entire auction process of the sand ghats was previously shared with the Deputy Commissioners via a PPT. Rajiv Lochan Bakshi from SIA provided an extensive explanation of environmental considerations related to mining, while representatives from Jaip IT elucidated the technical aspects of the auction process to ensure there is no confusion.
