The state government has proposed to amend the existing rules to curb illegal sand quarrying in the state by increasing the penalty three-fold; from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 per truck carrying sand without a valid permit. According to the proposed amendment, the penalty imposed on each tractor carrying five tonnes of sand will be Rs 15,000 and Rs 3,000 per additional tonne. As per existing rules, the government can grant a lease for a period of more than one year.
The government has now decided to amend the Rule 9-B (6) (i) of the AP Minor Mineral Conces-sion 1996 by making it mandatory to enclose a map of the location, ramp, and the Geo coordinates of longitude and latitude through GPS along with the lease deed. To prevent defaulters from participating in the auction, the government has decided to opt for sealed tenders. Further amendment to the existing rules will include a clause for a mandatory Bank Guarantee of 75 per cent of the upset price.
The government has also decided not to extend the 10 per cent concession to the highest bid currently offered to the Registered Boat Men Societies. These amendments were brought to the notice of a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice P.V. Sanjay Kumar of the High Court on Tuesday by advocate-general A. Sudarshan Reddy.
The High Court on March 23 granted a stay on sand mining and auction of sand reaches in the state with effect from April 1 on grounds that the authorities have failed in preventing illegal sand mining along rivers across the state. While submitting the proposed amendments, the A-G urged the court to vacate the stay orders. The Bench reserved orders on various miscellaneous petitions filed seeking vacation of stay and other relief in the case.