Karnataka to amend law to allow private players to import sand

The state government is planning to amend the Karnataka Minor Minerals Concession Rules to allow private players to import sand, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the government would shortly introduce amendments to the rules to facilitate import of sand from countries such as Malaysia and Philippines by the end of this year.

Currently, there are no rules to regulate import of sand from other countries. A Legislative Assembly committee set up to look into the problem of shortage of sand supply has recommended that private players should be allowed to import sand in order to solve the problem, the minister said.

The Mysore Sales International Ltd (MSIL) will act as a nodal agency in this regard. Once the Cabinet gives its approval to the amended rules, permits would be issued for procurement of sand.

Besides, MSIL is also taking steps to import sand in order to ensure adequate supply of sand for the construction activities, he added.

Jayachandra said that one truck load of imported sand would cost between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. Efforts to promote use of M-sand (manufacture sand) have been in vain. Only about 60 M-sand manufacturing units have been set up in the last two years. “As there were few takers for M-Sand, especially in the North Karnataka districts, investors were backing off,” he added.

He said the Revenue department has been directed to implement the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act that seeks to grant of certificate of ownership to agricultural labourers.