Rajasthan government to issue short-term bajri mining permits

In a move that would provide relief to large sections of the construction industry, government agencies and residents, the state mining department has decided to initiate the process of issuing sand mining leases on agriculture land up to 4 hectares. In a meeting on Wednesday, superintendent engineers were empowered by the joint secretary to issue leases on agriculture land up to 4 hectares. The lease allotments would start after nearly seven months. Recently, the high court had dismissed the PIL, which was filed on June 25, 2018. The court order said, “In respect of short-term permits, adverse environmental impact would be minimal on account of the fact that the quantity of bajri which can be excavated has been specified. The short-term permits have been granted because bajri is required for government projects of great public importance.”