Mining corporation to auction sand mining rights, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

All sand mining auctions in Bengal will be done by West Bengal Mining Development Corporation instead of district magistrates, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday.

To usher in transparency and accountability into the allotment of five-year sand mining rights along river beds statewide, the allotment process would be monitored by the state chief secretary and finance secretary. Bengal, the CM said, would also introduce CCTV coverage and digital mapping of sand mines.

The state, she added, would also introduce a helpline number for people to report illegal activities. Police, she said, would probe all complaints even if these were against officers or leaders. “None will be spared,” she added.

“Earlier, DMs were empowered to allot mining rights for five years. But now it will be done centrally, and the chief secretary and finance secretary will monitor the entire process,” Banerjee said.

Those allotted sand mining rights were lifting more sand and other resources four times more than legally entitled, she said.