Finance
The state government would distribute free sand to beneficiaries of the PM Awas Yojana and other government housing projects for the construction of pucca dwellings.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari has announced that the government will cover the cost of sand for recipients, making it easier for them to build homes.
The state government has also imposed a maximum selling price (MSP) for sand in order to control prices and prevent sand mafia activity. Sand ghat leaseholders will sell sand at government-fixed prices, but those who sell at higher rates may face legal action, threatens Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena.
The Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 modification attempts to reduce sand theft and combat the sand mafia. Key modifications include leasing sand ghats by e-lottery rather than e-auction, which addresses charges that sand mafias store and sell sand at inflated costs.
