The Hindu : Front Page : Sand to be imported to tide over scarcity

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Thursday, Dec 10, 2009
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Sand to be imported to tide over scarcity

Special Correspondent

V.S. Achuthanandan says the possibility of mining sand from dams will be explored.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala proposes to encourage the import of sand from other States and abroad to tide over the scarcity of sand for construction of buildings.

The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a slew of measures recommended by its sub-committee to reduce the scarcity.

Briefing the media on the Cabinet decisions, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said that the State Mineral Development Corporation would be entrusted with the import of sand from other countries.

Besides, private agencies would be encouraged to import sand from other States and abroad. Measures would be taken to ensure trouble-free transport of sand brought to the State legally from outside the State.

The Chief Minister said the government would encourage manufacture of M-Sand. The possibility of mining sand from dams and ports would be explored. Sand-mining from forest areas and water bodies, including hydel reservoirs, would be permitted. As a first step, mining of sand would be taken up at the Aruvikkara reservoir in Thiruvananthapuram district.

Chief Secretary Neela Gangadharan would coordinate measures to improve the availability of sand. IAS officer B. Suman would be appointed as special secretary in charge of sand-mining.

Residency system

The Cabinet also decided to introduce residency system in dental colleges. Junior residents would be given a monthly stipend of Rs.16,000 in the first year and Rs.17,000 in the second year. The stipend would be increased to Rs.18,500 in the third year.

The Cabinet approved creation of 32 posts of senior residents in government dental colleges on a temporary basis. They would be paid Rs.23,000 a month.

The Chief Minister said a State commission for minorities would be formed on the basis of the recommendation of the National Commission for Minorities.

The Kerala Agricultural Workers Act would be amended to increase the contributions to the welfare fund for agricultural workers. The Cabinet recommended to the Governor the promulgation of an ordinance for the purpose.

Mr. Achuthanandan announced a decision to set up evening courts in five cities using the existing infrastructure and employees.

The Cabinet approved the price fixed for acquisition of land for the Cyber Park in Kozhikode on a fast track basis. It decided to appoint Finance Secretary L.C. Goyal as Agriculture Production Commissioner.

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