Quarries in Punjab to be auctioned by March 31

Chandigarh, Feb 5 (UNI) The Punjab government has decided that the auction of sand, bajri (gravel) and quarries in the state will be completed by March 31.

The notice for auction shall be issued by February 20 and the process of auctioning of quarries shall be completed by March end.

However the auction would depend upon the decision in the SLP's pending before the Supreme Court.

This was stated here today by Industries and Commerce Minister Manoranjan Kali while presiding over a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on this subject.

The committee also decided to club the quarries during auction, keeping in view their economic viability. It was also decided to enhance the rates of royalty of all the minor minerals to make them at par with the rates in Haryana.

Earlier, Mr A R Talwar Principal Secretary, Industry and Commerce informed the committee about the existing provisions of the auction of quarries in the Punjab Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1964 and the status of mining contracts in the state.

UNI HS SY GC1929