Bhubaneswar, June 7: In a significant move to assist the rural poor and curb illegal sand mining, the Odisha government has announced that beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) will receive two tractor loads of sand free of cost for house construction.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, addressing the media, stated that official permits will be issued to PMAY beneficiaries to legally procure the sand. This initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on economically weaker sections while ensuring transparency in sand usage.

In a parallel effort to tackle illegal mining, the state will introduce a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The SOP will regulate the weight of vehicles transporting sand, particularly on rural roads developed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which have been severely damaged by overloaded trucks. The direct lifting of sand from riverbeds will also be curtailed.

Minister Pujari issued a stern warning to those involved in illegal sand trade. Referring to a recent assault on an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada, he likened the situation to Bihar and Bengal and affirmed that attacks on officials would face strict legal consequences.

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