Mumbai, Jul 16 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday said the state revenue and police departments will jointly take strict action against illegal mining of sand and its transportation.
No leniency will be shown to sand mafias, the Revenue Minister said in the state legislative assembly.
“Vehicles involved in illegal sand mining and transportation will not only face fines but also criminal charges,” Bawankule said.
The revenue and home departments have issued a joint government resolution (GR) that seeks to curb sand mafias through stringent measures in cases of illegal sand mining, usage and transportation, he said.
Earlier, vehicles caught transporting illegal sand used to be fined by the revenue department and later released. However, under the new GR, both the revenue and police departments will independently take action against such vehicles, according to him.
“If the revenue department seizes a vehicle, the police will also act and vice versa. This will result in fines from both departments and filing of criminal charges,” he said.
Bawankule stressed this new policy will introduce tougher measures to curb illegal sand mining.
“This GR will be made available to all, and its implementation will begin immediately. No leniency will be shown to sand mafias. Transparent and strict action will ensure justice for the common people and protection of the environment,” he added. PTI MR NP
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