Bengal govt to bring all sand ghats under legal framework

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced that all sand ghats in the state would be brought under a legal framework, asserting that his government would not allow extortion or syndicate operations. The move would help regulate the sector, increase government revenue and bring down sand prices for consumers, Adhikari said at a programme in Purulia after inaugurating a drinking water project. "We will legalise all sand ghats. There will be no extortion, no syndicate and no cut money," he said.

Acknowledging concerns over rising sand prices, Adhikari said beneficiaries building houses under government schemes would receive Rs 1,200 towards the cost of sand. "I know the price of sand has gone up a little. There is a problem. You will get Rs 1,200 for sand when you build a house under the PM Awas Yojana or West Bengal Awas Yojana," he told the gathering. Urging people to give the government time to regulate the sector, Adhikari said, "Let us regularise it. If you want money to come into the government coffers, then we will be able to give it back to you.