Bhagwant Mann dedicates 20 more Public mines in five districts to provide sand at affordable rates

55 Public mines are now operational in Punjab ensuring pit head price of sand at Rs 5.50 per cubic feet

5 Dariya News

Moga 21-Apr-2023

 In order to provide sand and gravel at affordable prices to people in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday dedicated 20 more Public mines to people in the five districts of the state for ensuring pit head price of sand at Rs 5.50 per cubic feet.

The Chief Minister, while interacting with the media in Sanghera village in Moga, said under the third phase of Public Mining sites, 20 new sites including in Ludhiana, Ferozepur, Moga, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts have been made operational on Friday, increasing the total number of operational sites to 55 across the state. 

He said that the state government will soon operationalise 150 public mines across Punjab. Bhagwant Mann said that the state government has eradicated the sand mafia which had flexed its muscles in the past to ensure that people get cheap sand.

The Chief Minister said that now the sand will be sold at just Rs.5.50 in each of these public mining sites thereby giving a major reprieve to the people. He said that only manual excavation of sand will be permitted in these public mining sites and no mechanical excavation of sand will be allowed.  

Bhagwant Mann said that till now 5.82 lakh metric ton of sand have been used by people from 35 public mines adding that now these 20 mines to provide 18.29 lakh metric sands to people.

The Chief Minister said that these public mines will not only benefit the public by providing cheap sand but will also provided direct and indirect employment to several youths. He said that so far only labour workers have earned Rs 5 crore after working in these sites since their operationalisation. 

Bhagwant Mann said that sand from public mining sites will only be sold for use in construction of non-commercial projects.The Chief Minister said that sale of sand will happen only till sunset and a government official will always be present to regulate the extraction of sand at each public mining site. 

Slamming the previous governments for producing and patronising the sand mafia in the state, he said that these people have no moral right to speak on this issue. Bhagwant Mann said that every one knows that these leaders were hand in glove with every mafia that plundered the state during their long misrule.

Stating that the state finances are back on the track, the Chief Minister said that crackdown has been launched against the sand mafia, which was patronised by the previous regime leaders, to ensure people get sand at affordable rates. 

Bhagwant Mann said that earlier sand was available at exorbitant rates while the drugs was easily available in the market. He said that previous governments ignored the welfare of people but his government has been working assiduously to provide hassle free services to people and prevent loot of the government exchequer.

Emphasising that the state government is committed for inclusive development of the state, the Chief Minister said that due to strenuous efforts by the government, the Punjab has been transformed into a fiscal profit state from fiscal deficit by taking landmark pro-people decisions aimed at bringing back the lost glory of the state. 

He said that the state government has taken myriad of steps to eradicate the sand mafia which had flexed its muscles in the past to ensure that people get cheap sand. Bhagwant Mann said that fulfilling his government's poll promise now the sand is sold at just Rs.5.50 in each of these public mining sites thereby giving a major reprieve to the people.

The Chief Minister said that previous governments were hand in glove with every mafia that plundered the state during their tyrant and long misrule. He said that not even a single tainted person will be allowed to mint the money illegally from any source under his government. 

Bhagwant Mann said that his government will take every decision aimed at well being of the people of state and prosperity of its people.The Chief Minister said that his government has a zero tolerance policy against corruption and action will be initiated against everyone for indulging in malpractices irrespective of their status. 

He said that stern action will be taken against anyone who is found indulging in corrupt practices. Bhagwant Mann said that no one will be allowed to plunder the wealth of public at any cost.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer.