Chhattisgarh to provide free sand for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, announces Finance Minister O P Choudhary in Assembly

Raipur
Finance Minister OP Choudhary announced in the assembly that rural areas in Chhattisgarh will now have access to free sand for the construction of the Prime Minister’s residence. This announcement comes as a boon for villagers engaged in small-scale construction activities, as they will now be able to procure sand without any hindrance.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, the Finance Minister emphasized in the Assembly that the construction of the Prime Minister’s residence scheme has commenced, addressing a long-standing issue of stalled housing projects over the past five years.
However, the assembly session saw discussions on the pressing issue of illegal sand mining and transportation. MLA Lata Usendi raised concerns regarding the illegal activities and urged for immediate action. She emphasized the need for strict enforcement and prompt leasing of sand mines to mitigate the problem.
Opposition leader Charan Das Mahant raised an intriguing question during the session, inquiring about the potential extraction of oil from sand. This query sparked further debate on the feasibility and implications of such endeavors.
Taking a dig at the opposition, Dharamlal Kaushik criticized the lack of action on the issue over the past five years, highlighting the growing influence of sand mafias and the need for decisive measures to curb illegal activities.
In response to the challenges posed, Finance Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining and transportation. He disclosed alarming statistics, revealing 555 cases of illegal mining and significant recoveries from transportation violations in recent years. Assuring swift action, Choudhary pledged to utilize departmental resources effectively in collaboration with the flying squad.
The session also witnessed queries regarding the whereabouts of seized sand, with Rikesh Sen raising concerns about its potential misuse. In his response, OP Choudhary assured that all recovered assets would be properly accounted for and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal activities.
The announcement of free sand provision marks a significant step towards facilitating rural development and addressing longstanding housing issues, underscoring the government’s commitment to welfare initiatives in Chhattisgarh.