Maha proposes barcoding system to check illegal sand mining
Maharashtra Government is contemplating a barcoding system that will be put in place across toll plazas in the state to keep in check illegal sand mining.
April 03, 2012 / 14:26 IST
Maharashtra Government is contemplating a barcoding system that will be put in place across toll plazas in the state to keep in check illegal sand mining.
Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat told the House that the state government was considering printing barcodes on the receipts issued to legal sand miners across all toll plazas in the state. "In order to keep a check on illegal sand transport, government is planning to set up a bar-coding system at various toll plazas across the state.The toll receipt will have a barcode number (printed) on it. This will help calculating number of times a particular truck passes through the toll plaza and how much sand he is allowed to carry," he said. The minister's reply came after the opposition leaders launched a stinging attack on the state government accusing it of "shielding" the sand mafia.The MLCs led by Shiv Sena group leader Diwakar Raote staged a walkout over "unsatisfactory" reply from Thorat over the issue of illegal sand mining. He also pressed for enacting stringent laws to curb illegal sand mining in the state. The minister claimed that the workers from political parties seek to bail out unauthorised sand extractors when they are caught by police by making phone calls for their release."Workers from political parties who later go on to become leaders (ruling as well as opposition parties) make a call and intervene into the matter after a truck loaded with illegally mined sand is caught by the police," Thorat said in a reply during question hour. Objecting to Thorat's claim, Raote sought to know whether the government was willing to enact a stringent law if anyone tries to influence the police from taking action in such cases. Thorat tried to assure the opposition, saying the bar-coding system could be introduced as a pilot measure. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
