If the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh has its way, the sand mining in the state is likely to be privatized and entrusted to a company in the name of streamlining the sand policy.
The state cabinet on Thursday finalized a new sand policy based on the recommendations of the cabinet sub-committee.
According to this policy, sand excavation at various reaches, storage and sale would be assigned to central public undertakings like National Mineral Development Corporation.
“Discussions are being held with eight central public sector undertakings including NMDC. In case, they do not come forward, the sand excavation, storage and sale would be entrusted to private parties that have technical expertise, efficiency and financial strength through open auction in a transparent manner,” the cabinet felt.
There is a talk that the entire exercise was done only to benefit a couple of companies that are closer to the ruling party, but one would only hope the government follow a transparent process in the selection of private companies.
The cabinet note said users could directly go to the reaches and transport sand using their own vehicles without any additional cost. The tenders have been sorted into three groups with three districts in each group, where separate tenders will be called for each group.
The government shall fix the prices for buying at the reach and for door delivery based on the distance while sand can be booked on both online and offline, it said.
