The Public Works Department will begin to issue notices in two days to M-sand manufacturing units across the State that are yet to get quality approval from its assessment committee.
With the continuing sand shortage and limited river sand quarries, the supply of M-sand has increased to nearly 40% of the total demand over the past few months. However, only 64 manufacturers have applied for quality approval.
While there are 320 manufacturers who own quarries and crushing units across Tamil Nadu, only 44 have been certified by the PWD for quality. The list of manufacturers was prepared based on the information provided by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, which has given consent to operate such units, according to the PWD.
Norms set by panel
In a bid to curb sale of sub-standard M-sand, the technical expert committee that met recently decided to issue notices to manufacturers to comply with quality norms set by the PWD.
The technical committee includes representatives from IIT- Madras, the Anna University, the Bureau of Indian Standards, the PWD and State Environment Impact Assessment Authority.
PWD officials said if the M-sand manufacturers fail to get PWD certification, action would be initiated through the District Collectors.
Moreover, there are nearly 800 crusher units, which do not own quarries, operating across the State. Norms have been relaxed for them to bring them under quality control net.
The State government is also in the process of formulating an M-sand policy that will cover the quality standards required for M-sand and facilities available to manufacturers such as loan to set up units.
There are also plans to penalise those who do not comply with the quality norms.
The violator may be imprisoned for a period of up to 5 years, the official added. The government will bring out the policy within three months.