Sand Mining Framework

Sand Mining Framework has been recently launched by central government to help states make proper policies to curb illegal sand mining and regulate the legitimate mining of sand. This framework has been prepared by the Ministry of Mines after due consultations with state governments and other stakeholders. Sand is an important component of housing, infrastructure projects and construction activities.

The framework addresses the following issues:

• State objectives, demand-supply assessment, measures to sand availability, allocation model, transportation and monitoring mechanism.
• Faster clearances and approvals
• Using interventions in complete process chain of sand mining.

The overall objective is to reduce the concerns related to sand mining such as environment issues, high sand prices and illegal sand mafia etc. The Sand Mining Framework also lays emphasis on alternatives of sand such as manufactured sand, import of sand etc.

Impacts

Sand Mining is a state subject and any government regulation / framework at best provides guidance of indicative nature. The Sand Mining Framework can be used by the states to frame their policies taking into consideration their objectives, endowments and state deployment of resources.