E-auction for M-Sand blocks soon

Jaipur: As soon as the CM Bhajan Lal Sharma announced the M-Sand policy, the Mining Department announced the initiation of the e-auction process for M-Sand blocks. Principal Secretary of the Department of Mines T Ravikanth said that the e-auction process for M-Sand blocks would commence by the end of this month. He said that field officers have been instructed to prepare plots for the establishment of M-Sand units and send proposals to the Directorate.

The policy grants industry status to M-Sand units and provides incentives under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme. It aims to increase M-Sand production, reduce dependence on river gravel, and facilitate the recycling of mining overburden and construction waste. Ravikanth highlighted that the relaxed eligibility criteria, including removing the requirement of three years’ experience and Rs 3 crore turnover, will ease the establishment of MSand units. Royalties on overburden have been reduced, and five plots per unit will now be allocated during auctions instead of two.

The policy mandates 50% M-Sand use in government projects and targets a 25% share in gravel supply for such works.