IEP Chandigarh, February 3
In a major citizen centric decision, under the leadership of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Cabinet today gave nod to lower pit head price of sand and gravel to Rs 5.50 per cubic feet as this will translate into lower end cost for the citizens. A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers, in its meeting held here at the Punjab Civil Secretariat- I under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that in August 2022, the state government had fixed the pit head selling price of sand and gravel @ Rs. 9 per cubic feet including loading charges. In recent times there was a significant gap in the demand and supply of sand & gravel which was also hugely contributing to the rise in prices. The Council of Ministers has therefore, authorized the Director to review the tenders, which were earlier terminated in specific circumstances, in order to increase the local availability of sand in the State. These contracts were originally valid only up to Feb-March, 2023 and as such these can be revived for only two months, during which time the supply will increase and at the same time the Department will strive to complete the fresh tendering process. The Cabinet also approved the proposal of the Department to increase the sum of royalty and penalty charged from transporters of sand and gravel who are unable to produce any relevant documents at the time of checking. At present these transporters were being charged at the rate of Rs.3.50 per cubic feet. Now the Council of Ministers has approved that this rate shall not be less than the rate fixed for sale of sand and gravel at the pit head. Since the pit head rates of sand and gravel have revised to Rs. 5.50 per cubic feet therefore the amount to be charged from such transporters shall now be more than Rs. 5.50 per cubic feet. This historic initiative will ensure supply of easy and cheap sand to the public thereby immensely benefitting them.
