MINING POLICY AMENDMENTS YIELD REMARKABLE RESULTS ACROSS PUNJAB: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL

LMS AND CRMS POLICY BOOSTS LEGAL MINING, REVENUE COLLECTION AND RAW MATERIAL SUPPLY

SAYS, NEW AUCTIONS STRENGTHEN TRANSPARENCY AND FAIR COMPETITION

Chandigarh, October 17:Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, on Thursday, said that the amendments made in the State’s Mining Policy have started delivering visible results, strengthening legal mining activity, improving supply of sand and gravel and enhancing state revenue through transparent operations.

The Cabinet Minister said that the introduction of Landowner Mining Sites (LMS) and Crusher Mining Sites (CRMS) has transformed the mining sector by empowering landowners and crusher operators while reducing dependence on raw material from other states. The initiative has also helped curb illegal mining by bringing more stakeholders into the legal framework.

Since the rollout of the amended policy, the department has received over 240 CRMS applications and 95 LMS applications. Out of these, 23 CRMS and 4 LMS Letters of Intent have already been issued and the remaining applications are being processed for inclusion in the District Survey Reports. These sites are expected to become operational between December 2025 and March 2026 after completion of environmental clearances.

Sh. Goyal said that the implementation of LMS and CRMS has led to an increased availability of raw materials in the market, ensuring a steady supply for construction and development projects. The move has also provided local employment opportunities and is contributing to higher royalty income for the State.

The Mining and Geology Minister also highlighted that the Punjab Government has launched fresh online auctions for 29 Commercial Mining Sites containing 11.58 crore cubic feet of raw material, marking the first auction exercise in the last three years. The process has been made fully transparent through competitive online bidding, eliminating discretionary allotments and ensuring equal opportunity for all genuine participants.

He said that the introduction of price-based bidding, advance royalty payments and extended lease periods has modernised the auction process and improved operational efficiency. Responsibility for obtaining environmental clearances now rests with bidders, enabling faster project implementation and accountability, he added.

The Cabinet Minister informed that nearly 100 additional sites will be brought under auction in a phased manner to further increase the legal supply of raw material and strengthen the mining ecosystem. He said these policy reforms are aimed at making Punjab’s mining operations transparent, accountable and citizen-friendly.

Sh. Goyal reaffirmed that the Punjab Government under Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed to ensuring fair and sustainable resource management. “Our efforts are focused on creating a transparent system that encourages legal mining, enhances revenue and safeguards the interests of the people of Punjab,” the Cabinet Minister categorically added.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that earlier, gravel mining in Punjab was confined to Commercial Mining Sites (CMS) allotted by the Department, mainly through a draw of lots. Crusher owners relied heavily on these limited CMS sites or imported raw materials from other states, leading to an acute shortage and inflated costs. Many crusher owners, despite possessing gravel-rich land, were unable to utilize it as permissions were restricted. Their long-pending demand to extract gravel from their own property remained unresolved, leaving a significant portion of Punjab’s gravel reserves untapped.

Now, with the Punjab Government’s approval of key amendments introducing Crusher Mining Sites (CRMS), the landscape of gravel mining is changing. Crusher owners with gravel-bearing land can now apply for a mining lease, reducing dependence on other states and curbing illegal transportation. This move is set to boost business opportunities and employment within Punjab while ensuring better availability of crushed sand and bajri for developmental projects. The expanded supply chain will likely stabilize market prices and enhance the state’s revenue streams, he added.

He informed that similarly, sand mining operations were limited to Commercial Mining Sites (CMS) and Public Mining Sites (PMS). This restrictive model caused a persistent gap between demand and supply as many landowners were hesitant to grant consent for mining on their land by external parties. The government frequently received requests from these landowners seeking the right to mine their own lands, creating a strong case for policy revision.

Through the introduction of Landowner Mining Sites (LMS), the Punjab Government has unlocked new potential in sand mining. Landowners can now legally mine their property or authorize someone to do so by paying only the prescribed royalty to the state. This reform will expand the number of operational sites, enhance the availability of sand, generate employment and ensure competitive market prices. The inclusion of LMS will also deter monopolistic control, promoting fair participation as every eligible landowner can now access mining rights.

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HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO AND BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL CALL ON TAMIL NADU CM MK STALIN

• MINISTERS EXTEND INVITATION FOR 350TH MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY OF SRI GURU TEGH BAHADUR JI

• BRIEF TAMIL NADU CM ON STATEWIDE COMMEMORATIVE INITIATIVES TO PAY RESPECTS TO THE ‘HIND DI CHADAR’

• MK STALIN PRAISES PUNJAB GOVT’S EFFORTS TO SPREAD GURU SAHIB’S UNIVERSAL MESSAGE OF HARMONY, COMPASSION AND UNITY

Chandigarh/Chennai, October 17:Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO and Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Sh. M.K. Stalin at Chennai and extended a formal invitation to join the state-level commemorations being organised to mark the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

Conveying greetings from Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, both the Cabinet Ministers apprised Sh. M.K. Stalin of the elaborate plans being undertaken by the Punjab Government to observe this historic occasion with reverence and grandeur. They shared that the month-long commemorative events will highlight the supreme sacrifice made by Guru Sahib to uphold the principles of religious freedom and human dignity.

During the meeting, the Ministers informed that the celebrations will commence on October 25 with Ardaas at Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi, followed by devotional congregations and cultural programmes across Punjab. They added that a series of Light and Sound shows depicting Guru Sahib’s life and teachings will be held in all 23 districts, while 130 sacred sites associated with Guru Sahib’s travels will host Kirtan Darbars and spiritual gatherings.

The Ministers also briefed that four Nagar Kirtans, starting from Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Gurdaspur, Faridkot and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Punjab), will converge at Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22. The concluding ceremonies from November 23 to 25 will feature Sri Akhand Path Sahib, Sarb Dharam Sammelan, a special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and a grand Kirtan Darbar. A dedicated Tent City “Chakk Nanki” is also being established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to accommodate thousands of devotees visiting daily.

Chief Minister Sh. M.K. Stalin appreciated the Punjab Government’s visionary initiative to pay the respects to the legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, terming it a strong message of unity, compassion and brotherhood.

The Punjab Ministers further stated that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann has envisioned these commemorations not only as a tribute to the Ninth Guru Sahib but also as a national effort to disseminate Guru Sahib’s teachings of peace, equality and righteousness. They said that Sri Anandpur Sahib will become a vibrant centre of devotion and cultural expression during the celebrations, drawing devotees and visitors from across India and abroad.

HARBHAJAN SINGH ETO AND BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL WITNESS PROCEEDINGS OF TAMIL NADU LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

• TAMIL NADU SPEAKER M. APPAVU EXTENDS WARM WELCOME ON BEHALF OF CHIEF MINISTER AND PEOPLE OF THE STATE

• PUNJAB MINISTERS INTERACT WITH SENIOR MEMBERS AND OBSERVE LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONING

Chandigarh/Chennai, October 17:On their visit to Tamil Nadu, Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO and Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today witnessed the proceedings of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in Chennai.

Both the Cabinet Ministers observed the functioning of the House and gained insights into its legislative procedures and practices.

On the occasion, Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Mr. M. Appavu extended a warm welcome to the visiting Cabinet Ministers on behalf of the Chief Minister, Members of the Legislative Assembly and the people of Tamil Nadu. The Speaker expressed happiness over the Ministers’ visit and appreciated the spirit of inter-state cooperation between Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

The Ministers thanked the Tamil Nadu Speaker and conveyed greetings from the Government and people of Punjab, reaffirming the commitment to strengthen mutual understanding and cultural exchange between the two states.

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MANN GOVT COMMITTED TO MAKING REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS EASIER: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN

PRESIDES OVER MAIDEN MEETING OF SECTOR-SPECIFIC COMMITTEE FOR REAL ESTATE

MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN JALANDHAR AND LUDHIANA BETWEEN BUILDERS AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES IN COMING DAYS

COMMITTEE MEMBERS THANK GOVT FOR THE INITIATIVE

Chandigarh, October 17:The maiden meeting of the recently constituted Sector-Specific Committee for the Real Estate sector, aimed at bringing positive transformation, was held at PUDA Bhawan, SAS Nagar.

Addressing the committee members, Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government recognises the significant contribution of the real estate sector to the state’s development as its progress directly strengthens the state’s economy. He expressed confidence that the Sector-Specific Committee would extend valuable suggestions to the government to set new benchmarks for the real estate sector.

During the meeting, Punjab CREDAI President Mr. Jagjit Singh Majha appreciated the state government’s proactive step in forming this committee to streamline policy formulation for the real estate sector. Committee Chairman Mr. Deepak Garg (Director, Marbella Group) thanked the Punjab Government for this initiative and assured that the committee would fulfil its assigned responsibilities with complete diligence. It was agreed that in the coming days, meetings would be organised in Jalandhar and Ludhiana between builders and respective development authorities to outline strategies for encouraging more investments in the real estate sector in these cities.

To make the real estate sector more investment-friendly and growth-oriented, the committee members unanimously agreed on the need for immediate measures to expedite the issuance of CLU, LoI, licences and other approvals, to simplify the process for partial and final completion certificates and to make the system for plot hypothecation and de-hypothecation more efficient.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included GMADA Chief Administrator Mr. Vishesh Sarangal, Additional Chief Administrator and Member Secretary of the Sector-Specific Committee Mr. Amarinder Singh Mahi, Committee Vice Chairman Mr. Rupinder Singh Chawla (MD, CEE ENN Promoters and Developers Pvt. Ltd.) and members Mr. Sukhdev Singh (Director, AGI Group), Mr. Pradeep Kumar Bansal (Director, HLP Group), Mr. Baljeet Singh (Director, Jubilee Group), Mr. Deepak Makhija (Business Head Punjab, Emaar Group), Mr. Rupinder Singh Gill (MD, Gillsons Construction Ltd.), Mr. Rohit Sharma (Executive Director, DLF Group), Mr. Mohinder Goyal (Chairman, Affinity Group) and Mr. Varun Dham (Director, KLV Builders).

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