AP Govt announces new sand policy

Hyderabad, Nov 14 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Government announced a new Sand Policy today in the wake of rising revenue from sand auctioning.

As per the new policy, sand mining in rivers with proclains would be prohibited as it might lead to over-exploitation of sand, affecting the ground water table, an official release said today.

The government decided to restrict indiscriminate rise in sand price and said this must be declared before issue of auction notification.

The period of lease would be two years with 20 per cent enhancement of the bid amount for the second year.

The municipalities concerned must recover Seignorage Fee on sand from those taking up construction over Rs one crore. For sand procurement without permit, a one-time penalty would be imposed.

Vigilance Squads would be set up in each district consisting of Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, two Royalty Inspectors, four Technical Assistants and six Home Guards.

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