Chandigarh, April 3: The Punjab Cabinet was led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday. They paved way for checking illegal mining in the state. They also aimed to further reduce the price of sand and gravel for the public. The Council of Ministers made a decision to this effect. They held a meeting here under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister at his official residence.

Punjab Cabinet Amends Mining Policy to Boost Supply

Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet has approved significant amendments in the Punjab Minor Mineral Policy. These amendments aim to enhance the supply of raw materials in the market. They seek to reduce illegal mining and corruption. The amendments also aim to reduce consumer prices for the public. Moreover, they intend to increase state revenues and eliminate any potential monopoly in the mining sector. The amendment stipulates Crusher Mining Sites (CRMS). This enables crusher owners who possess land with gravel to obtain a mining lease. This move is expected to curb the illegal transportation of material from other states. It will also increase the availability of crushed sand and bajri in the market. These materials are essential for development activities in the state. Similarly, Landowner Mining Sites (LMS) will facilitate the Landowners with land containing sand deposits. They can apply for a mining lease. Then, they can sell the material in the open market at the government’s notified rates.

price of sand ; LMS to Boost Mining Operations, Market Supply, and State Revenue

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. This will boost market supply. It will also raise state revenue. This move will also prevent monopolies in the mining sector. Additionally, Deputy Commissioners have been granted the authority to issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for government and Panchayat lands, as they are the custodians of these lands. This change will streamline the process and expedite the operationalization of mining sites on government lands. The Cabinet reiterated the commitment of state government to ensuring transparency, fairness, and economic growth. These 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.

Green signal to provisions of Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme

The Cabinet gave approval for provisions of the Mukhya Mantri Teerth Yatra Scheme. Under this scheme, the government will take senior citizens on a pilgrimage at its expense. The government 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/souvenirs to the travellers. 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 of this journey is to showcase the state’s rich spiritual, religious, and cultural heritage by covering major religious sites. Throughout the journey, organizers will hold spiritual discourses and devotional singing (satsang and kirtan). At the end of the pilgrimage, they will distribute prasad to all travelers. Authorities have allocated a budget of ₹100 crore for this scheme and will increase it if necessary. The registration for Yatra will start from last week of April and yatra will begin from month of May.

*Approves School Mentorship program *

The Cabinet also gave nod to implement 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. This 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 positing. This move will further strengthen the atmosphere of education through conversation with students and teachers along with it the officers will prepare the students for competitive exams and ensure training to teachers for upgrading their skills. These officers will act a catalyst for mustering resources and resource person 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.