Maharashtra issues new rules for sand ghat auctions, orders fix for Besa-Pipla water supply

Auctions of sand and sand ghats in Maharashtra will now be more transparent. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has issued new guidelines to ensure the auction process runs smoothly, curb illegal mining and stop the resulting loss of revenue to the government.

Under the new rules, all sand ghats that have received environmental clearance will now be auctioned together at the taluka level. Earlier, auctions were held separately in different districts, causing delays; the new system will end this problem. The auction must be completed in three rounds. The first round requires at least three bidders, the second at least two, and the third at least one. If the auction still does not go through after all three rounds, those sand ghats will be reserved for local use.

E-tendering has now been made mandatory alongside e-auctioning. If the highest bidder (H-1) fails to deposit the amount, the opportunity will go to H-2, and then H-3. If there is any deficiency in documents, an extra day will be given on the MahaTenders portal. District collectors have also been directed to complete legal proceedings.

With Ganeshotsav underway and the threat of drought looming over the state, Bawankule appealed to protesters not to hold demonstrations in Mumbai. He said everyone has a responsibility to maintain law and order while respecting the Bombay High Court's orders. On Manoj Jarange's agitation, he said whether it is the OBC community or the Maratha community, no one's rights will be violated. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have taken major decisions to secure justice for the Maratha community, and the government is sensitive to the community's demands, so protesters should give the government some time.

Separately, Nagpur district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, at a review meeting on the water supply scheme for the Besa-Pipla nagar panchayat area, directed officials to take strict steps to fix irregularities in water supply and ensure people get regular, clean water. The meeting was attended by nagar panchayat president Kirti Badole, vice-president Naresh Bhoyar, district collector Kumar Ashirwad, sub-divisional officer Vandana Saurangfate, district superintendent of land records Mohite, and chief officer Bharat Nandanwar. Officials were directed to immediately cut illegal water connections taken for construction work and stop wastage of water through leakage. The district collector, municipal corporation commissioner, NMRDA and the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) were asked to work together to fix the MJP's water supply. The nagar panchayat administration was directed to prepare an action plan and submit a report to fix technical faults in the water treatment plant, ensure clean water supply and stop leakage. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, officials were asked to quickly distribute land pattas in Mouza Pipla, Ghogli, Besa and Beltarodi, and to provide basic facilities such as drinking water, sanitation and street lights under the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Nagarik Dalit Basti Sudhar Yojana.