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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Maharashtra rolls out round-the-clock sand transport, new measures to regulate mining
In a bid to curb illegal sand mining and ensure efficient transportation, the Maharashtra government on Thursday (July 3, 2025) announced that sand transportation will now be permitted round-the-clock across the State. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed the State Assembly that the move is aimed at enhancing transparency, streamlining logistics, and supporting housing beneficiaries under government welfare schemes. Until now, sand excavation was allowed only between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., while transportation was restricted to daytime hours. This often resulted in underutilisation of capacity and prompted illegal transport activities during the night. 'To address this, the MahaKhaniij portal will now generate Electronic Transport Permits (e-TPs) 24 hours a day,' Mr. Bawankule said, responding to a question raised by Congress MLA Nana Patole during Question Hour. Technological measures To bolster transparency and regulatory oversight, the government has introduced several digital monitoring mechanisms. All sand depots will be geo-fenced, CCTV cameras will be installed at mining sites and along transportation routes, and GPS devices will be mandatory in all sand-carrying vehicles. The Minister also announced that the State will soon implement a policy on manufactured sand (M-sand) to reduce pressure on natural sand reserves. Under the plan, each district will host 50 crusher units on five-acre plots, with the aim of operationalising 1,000 units in the next three months. Free sand In a key welfare measure, Mr. Bawankule said that five brass (a traditional unit of volume) of sand will be provided free of cost to each beneficiary under the Gharakul Yojana (government housing scheme). He added that although several sand mining sites have come under environmental restrictions since June 10 due to National Green Tribunal (NGT) directives, sand supply from locations not requiring clearance will continue uninterrupted. The government is also preparing a new policy to address the high cost of transporting sand to housing beneficiaries. With distances between sand mines and homes often ranging from 30 to 50 km, beneficiaries are currently incurring transport costs of ₹30,000 to ₹40,000. Mr. Bawankule said a new 'Home Delivery Sand Transport Policy' is being drafted with support from the Chief Minister and the Finance Department. 'Before the end of this session, I will present a detailed plan to ensure affordable sand access for housing beneficiaries,' he said. Public feedback The Minister pointed out that the State's new sand policy is already generating strong economic returns. 'In Chandrapur district, the first tender floated under the revised policy yielded ₹100 crore in royalty revenue. This demonstrates the policy's economic viability in addition to its regulatory benefits,' he said. Mr. Bawankule added that the policy was shaped after considering over 1,200 public suggestions and assured the Assembly that the government is open to further discussions on the matter.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
AIUDF will fight 2026 assembly elections alone, says Jania MLA
1 2 Guwahati: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has decided not to forge an alliance with any political party for the assembly elections to be held early next year and fight the battle of ballots alone. The organising secretary of the party and MLA of Jania assembly constituency, Hafiz Rafiqul Islam, said except the 2021 assembly elections, the party fought the previous three assembly elections alone. "Similarly, the party has decided to fight the ensuing elections alone, and party president Badruddin Ajmal has approved the decision," he added. However, he said the party will consider it later if any political party comes forward with a proposal of alliance. "AIUDF will not send any proposal for an alliance to any political party," he added. Islam, who is also a member of the 126-member legislative assembly, said the party will contest only 35 out of 126 seats. Since it will contest 35 seats, the party will step into the electoral battleground with new energy and full focus. AIUDF, which was a partner in the Congress-led Mahajot, contested in 20 seats in the 2021 assembly elections and won 16 of them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Islam added that the party has also pulled up its socks to contest the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections. "The party has a good position in the Bodoland Territorial Region at present, which indicates that we will be able to score well in the BTC elections," he added. He said, the party headquarters has received a number of applications seeking tickets for the BTC elections. "Regarding all these decisions of the executive meeting, which was held a few days ago, we met Badruddin Ajmal on Wednesday. He has given approval to the decisions," Islam added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Equip Israel with bunker busters': US lawmakers push bill to arm Tel Aviv if Iran goes nuclear - The Economic Times Video
Amid rising tensions with Iran, a new bipartisan bill in the U.S. Congress proposes authorizing the transfer of B-2 stealth bombers and 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs to Israel if Iran resumes its nuclear weapons program. Backed by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Mike Lawler (R-NY), the proposed Bunker Buster Act would give President Donald Trump authority to equip Israel with advanced weaponry to counter Iran's nuclear threat.
