CHANDIGARH: The Punjab council of ministers on Thursday approved amendments to the Punjab Minor Mineral Policy, with an aim to curb illegal mining and reduce prices of sand and gravel. It also gave its go-ahead to launch the pilgrimage scheme and a school mentorship program.
Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema told media persons that changes to the minor mineral policy would help in enhancing the supply of sand and gravel in the market, besides checking illegal mining and bringing in transparency. The state’s revenue is also expected to go up while the monopoly in the mining sector will be ruled out, he said.
New mining site categories have been introduced, supplementing the existing public and commercial classifications. The amendment stipulates crusher mining sites (CRMS), thereby enabling crusher owners who possess land with gravel can now obtain a mining lease. The move is expected to curb the illegal transportation of material from other states and increase the availability of crushed sand and gravel in the market. Similarly, landowner mining sites (LMS) will facilitate the landowners with land containing sand deposits to apply for a mining lease and sell the material in the open market at the government’s notified rates.
Previously, many mining sites remained non-operational due to the lack of consent from landowners, as they were unwilling to allow unknown individuals to mine their land. The introduction of LMS will increase the number of operational mining sites, which will, in turn, boost market supply and state revenue. This move will also prevent monopolies in the mining sector, said an official spokesperson.
Additionally, deputy commissioners have been granted the authority to issue no objection certificates (NOCs) for govt and Panchayat lands. “This change will streamline the process and expedite the operationalization of mining sites on government lands. The royalty on sand has been increased to Rs 1.75/cft with a corresponding pit-head price of Rs 7/cft while royalty on gravel has been increased to Rs 3.15/cft with a corresponding pit-head price of Rs 9/cft,” said Cheema.
Punjab minister for mines Barinder Kumar Goyal said the Cabinet reiterated the commitment of the state govt to ensuring transparency, fairness, and economic growth. The amendments will not only address the needs of mining stakeholders but also create an enabling framework for the legal and transparent conduct of mining activities across the state. The policy aims to boost the state's economy while upholding environmental and regulatory standards, he said.
Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme
The Cabinet also gave approval for provisions of Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme under which senior citizens will be taken on a pilgrimage for free. The govt will bear the entire cost of the journey, including air-conditioned travel, comfortable accommodation, and meals. To make the pilgrimage memorable, the government will also present a special gift and souvenirs to the pilgrims.
All citizens aged 50 years and above can avail from this scheme and it will be open to people of all castes, religions, income groups, and regions. Residents from both cities and villages of Punjab can benefit from this initiative. The objective is to showcase the state’s rich spiritual, religious, and cultural heritage by covering major religious sites, said Cheema.
Cheema said Rs 100 crore had been allocated under the Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra scheme. The registration for Yatra will start from the last week of April and the yatra will begin from the month of May. “The list of religious destinations will be announced soon. People of Punjab respect all religions and there is communal harmony,” he said.
School Mentorship Program
The Cabinet also gave nod to implement a school mentorship program in the state thereby stipulating that the IAS/IPS officers adopt rural schools across the state and mentor the students for excelling in life.
The pilot project will be introduced in 80 schools of eminence of the state and every officer will be allotted the school for a period of five years irrespective of their place of posting.
“The officers will establish a bond of love and affection and offer guidance to the student. It will help inculcate a feeling of patriotism and inspire students to aim for careers like civic services. The bureaucrats will regularly visit the schools, share their experiences and inform students about world affairs,” said Cheema.
An official spokesperson added, “The officers will act as a catalyst for mustering resources and resource persons for development of these schools adding that these officers will work as mentors and not as bosses and this work will be voluntary service and interested officers will have to perform it along with their already allocated duties.”
Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema told media persons that changes to the minor mineral policy would help in enhancing the supply of sand and gravel in the market, besides checking illegal mining and bringing in transparency. The state’s revenue is also expected to go up while the monopoly in the mining sector will be ruled out, he said.
New mining site categories have been introduced, supplementing the existing public and commercial classifications. The amendment stipulates crusher mining sites (CRMS), thereby enabling crusher owners who possess land with gravel can now obtain a mining lease. The move is expected to curb the illegal transportation of material from other states and increase the availability of crushed sand and gravel in the market. Similarly, landowner mining sites (LMS) will facilitate the landowners with land containing sand deposits to apply for a mining lease and sell the material in the open market at the government’s notified rates.
Previously, many mining sites remained non-operational due to the lack of consent from landowners, as they were unwilling to allow unknown individuals to mine their land. The introduction of LMS will increase the number of operational mining sites, which will, in turn, boost market supply and state revenue. This move will also prevent monopolies in the mining sector, said an official spokesperson.
Additionally, deputy commissioners have been granted the authority to issue no objection certificates (NOCs) for govt and Panchayat lands. “This change will streamline the process and expedite the operationalization of mining sites on government lands. The royalty on sand has been increased to Rs 1.75/cft with a corresponding pit-head price of Rs 7/cft while royalty on gravel has been increased to Rs 3.15/cft with a corresponding pit-head price of Rs 9/cft,” said Cheema.
Punjab minister for mines Barinder Kumar Goyal said the Cabinet reiterated the commitment of the state govt to ensuring transparency, fairness, and economic growth. The amendments will not only address the needs of mining stakeholders but also create an enabling framework for the legal and transparent conduct of mining activities across the state. The policy aims to boost the state's economy while upholding environmental and regulatory standards, he said.
Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme
The Cabinet also gave approval for provisions of Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme under which senior citizens will be taken on a pilgrimage for free. The govt will bear the entire cost of the journey, including air-conditioned travel, comfortable accommodation, and meals. To make the pilgrimage memorable, the government will also present a special gift and souvenirs to the pilgrims.
All citizens aged 50 years and above can avail from this scheme and it will be open to people of all castes, religions, income groups, and regions. Residents from both cities and villages of Punjab can benefit from this initiative. The objective is to showcase the state’s rich spiritual, religious, and cultural heritage by covering major religious sites, said Cheema.
Cheema said Rs 100 crore had been allocated under the Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra scheme. The registration for Yatra will start from the last week of April and the yatra will begin from the month of May. “The list of religious destinations will be announced soon. People of Punjab respect all religions and there is communal harmony,” he said.
School Mentorship Program
The Cabinet also gave nod to implement a school mentorship program in the state thereby stipulating that the IAS/IPS officers adopt rural schools across the state and mentor the students for excelling in life.
The pilot project will be introduced in 80 schools of eminence of the state and every officer will be allotted the school for a period of five years irrespective of their place of posting.
“The officers will establish a bond of love and affection and offer guidance to the student. It will help inculcate a feeling of patriotism and inspire students to aim for careers like civic services. The bureaucrats will regularly visit the schools, share their experiences and inform students about world affairs,” said Cheema.
An official spokesperson added, “The officers will act as a catalyst for mustering resources and resource persons for development of these schools adding that these officers will work as mentors and not as bosses and this work will be voluntary service and interested officers will have to perform it along with their already allocated duties.”
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