THE NEWS FREEDOM
BALACHAUR/CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 28
Punjab’s Mining and Geology Minister, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, dedicated an additional 12 public mining sites (PMS) on Wednesday, aimed at ensuring the availability of sand at affordable rates, bringing the total count of public mining sites to 72 statewide. Speaking at the inauguration of the public mining site in ADB Bela Tajowal of Tehsil Balachaur (SBS Nagar), Jauramajra underscored the efforts of the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government in opening 60 public mining sites and 38 commercial mining site clusters, providing sand to the public at Rs. 5.50/cft.
The Punjab government has set an ambitious target to establish a total of 150 public mining sites and 100 commercial mining sites in the near future, Jauramajra stated. The Cabinet Minister inaugurated three public mining sites in Dugri/Niara, Khoja/Niara, and ADB Bela Tajowal in SBS Nagar district, while six public mining sites in various districts and one each in districts Moga, Jalandhar, and Amritsar were simultaneously inaugurated by respective MLAs and authorities.
Jauramajra disclosed that the total extracted quantity from the 72 public mining sites to date stands at 15.91 LMT, out of the total capacity of 47.65 LMT. Additionally, the 38 commercial mining site clusters have a planned extraction quantity of 136 LMT, with 17 LMT of sand and gravel already extracted. Over 151 LMT of sand and gravel remains available on both PMS and CMS sites, he added.
Highlighting the significance of public mining sites, Jauramajra emphasized that they empower the public to excavate and sell sand independently, contributing to increased supply and subsequently lowering market rates. Addressing concerns about illegal mining activities, the Mining and Geology Minister affirmed, “We are taking strict action against illegal mining activities,” noting that 945 FIRs have been lodged from April 2022 to January 2024 in accordance with mining laws and regulations in the state.