Revenue minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Monday declared that the Maharashtra government would soon come up with a new sand mining policy to prevent it being smuggled. “It will be announced by January 15,” he said.
Replying to a calling attention motion in assembly, the minister said the issue of sand smuggling is big and the offenders were getting political patronage. “We will ask the Amravati divisional commissioner to investigate the cases,” he said.
He admitted that state exchequer was suffering losses due to smuggling. He said all district collectors were also directed to take steps in this regard.
“Excavation is underway on a large scale. There is a violation of environmental regulations, instructions have been given to take action,” said Vikhe Patil.