Latest news with #Ravikanth
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Rajasthan finalises action plan for M-sand plot auctions to curb illegal mining
In a significant policy move aimed at streamlining construction material supply and curbing illegal mining, the Rajasthan government has finalised an action plan for delineating and auctioning plots designated for manufactured sand (M-sand) units. The decision follows the State's recognition of M-sand units as an industry, extending them official status to encourage investment and development. Principal Secretary (Mines) T. Ravikanth announced on Saturday (May 17, 2025) that 109 plots have been identified under the plan. Of these, 77 plots spanning a total of 158 hectares are earmarked for M-sand units, while 32 overburden dumping plots covering 131 hectares will also be prepared for e-auction. Notably, 26 plots have already been successfully auctioned, aimed at increasing the supply of M-sand for the construction sector. The initiative marks a strategic shift in response to a 2017 Supreme Court directive that imposed a ban on riverbed sand (commonly known as bajri) mining in Rajasthan. The top court had ordered a scientific replenishment study and subsequent clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests before any resumption of mining activities. A Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was subsequently constituted to examine the issue of illegal sand extraction. The court's intervention had led to a sharp decline in the availability of legally mined riverbed sand, resulting in a spike in prices and the emergence of a sand mining mafia operating in defiance of environmental norms. Though environmental clearance was eventually granted to 60 mining zones in 2022, the lag in supply had already hampered several infrastructure projects across the State. The new policy on M-sand, which seeks to reduce reliance on riverbed resources, is expected to ease supply bottlenecks and bolster environmental safeguards. It enables investors to establish M-sand units while availing themselves of State-backed incentives and infrastructural support. Officials say the move is also expected to instil public confidence in the quality and utility of M-sand for construction. Addressing officials at a departmental review meeting held at Khanij Bhawan, Mr. Ravikanth emphasised that promotion of legal mining is key to checking illegal extraction activities. He directed the Mines Department to expedite the delineation and auction of mineral plots, including both major and minor categories. In addition, Mr. Ravikanth said that efforts are under way to identify new revenue sources for the department and plug existing leakages. He noted that the auction process for 22 major mineral blocks had already commenced at the beginning of the current financial year.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- The Hindu
Public irked over delay in reopening of Botanical Garden
Much to the disappointment of residents and tourists alike, the green lung of the city, the Botanical Garden, has been kept out of bounds during peak summer after agriculture department closed the facility for Puducherry Smart City Development Limited (PSCDP) to take up renovation work of the garden. The garden was closed for public in 2024 for renovation works which included, landscaping, sprucing up of the garden, construction of an amphitheatre, jogging track, pathways, reconstruction of ticket counter, improvement of fountains and provision for battery-operated joy train at a cost of ₹9.11 crore. The works were scheduled to be completed in January this year. While there have been claims and counter claims by the agriculture department and PSCDP over the status of the work, the public are angry over the closure of the facility for so long. PSCDP officials said they had met the Director of Agriculture around two weeks ago and explained about all the works done. A book regarding the works completed was submitted to the department, said a PSCDP officer. However, an official in the Agriculture Department maintained that some more works were pending and it would take a few more days for reopening the garden. 'When we went to the garden during Christmas vacation last year, we were told by the security personnel that it will be opened in January this year. After the closure of school in April, we went again but the garden remained closed. We were told it will take at least a month for its opening. After Bharathi Park, the Botanical Garden is the only place for us to relax in a natural environment. The government should have planned for reopening the facility during summer vacation,' said Ravikanth, a resident of Lawspet. The security guards posted at the entrance say a lot of tourists come on a daily basis to visit the place. ' All major works were completed weeks ago and even new battery operated vehicles have been procured and kept ready for tourists. The toy train is also ready. Only the signage board work is going on,' said a guard posted near the entrance of Marimalaiadigal Salai. The garden was established in 1826 by the French botanist George Samuel Perrottet on an experimental basis to preserve the unique vegetation of the region. The 22-acre garden has a collection over 2, 400 trees, 213 genus types and 293 species. The garden is the venue for the annual flower show in Puducherry.
