Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at supporting the rural poor and tightening the noose on 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. It is part of a broader plan to make housing more accessible while curbing rampant sand smuggling across the state.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, speaking to the media today, said that permits will be issued to PMAY beneficiaries, enabling them to legally obtain sand without cost. The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden of house construction for economically weaker sections.
To prevent illegal mining and transportation of sand, the government will introduce a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Among the key features of this SOP is the regulation of vehicle weight, especially in rural areas where roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are being damaged due to overloaded heavy vehicles used for sand transport. The direct lifting of sand from riverbeds will also be restricted under the new guidelines.
Minister Pujari also issued a stern warning to those involved in the illegal sand trade. Citing a recent incident in Kaptipada, where an additional tehsildar was attacked while trying to intervene in smuggling activities, Pujari expressed serious concern over the rising audacity of sand mafias in Odisha. Drawing parallels to the criminal networks in Bihar and Bengal, he emphasized that attacks on government officials would not be tolerated.
“This is an attack not just on an officer, but on the rule of law,” he said. “We will pursue every lead, go after those responsible — including those working behind the scenes — and ensure that no one escapes justice. Even if they are hiding in the deepest corners, we will find them.”
The Minister underscored the government’s commitment to establishing firm control over the sand trade while ensuring that welfare schemes reach the intended beneficiaries without exploitation or delay.
