Rajasthan Govt Starts E-Auction for 31 M-Sand Manufacturing Units

T Ravikanth, the Principal Secretary for Mines and Geology, mentioned that the new mineral policy and M-sand policy were unveiled on December 4, and the revised rules were issued on January 3. Within a week, the department released tender notifications for the establishment of 31 M-sand units, which is expected to attract new investments and generate employment opportunities in the mining sector.

Bhagwati Prasad Kalal, the Director of Mines, stated that the tender notifications for the e-auction of 31 M-sand plots in 15 districts were issued on January 10 through the Government of India's e-portal. The auction notifications include two plots each in Ajmer, Nagaur, Sirohi, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Baran, Pali, and Sikar; three plots each in Bundi, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh; and one plot each in Kotputli and Dausa. Among these, 28 plots are designated for M-sand units using masonry stone, while three plots are for units using overburden.

The revised policy recognizes M-sand units as industries and offers special benefits under the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme. The updated guidelines have simplified the establishment requirements by removing the three-year experience criterion and the Rs 30 million turnover requirement.

The policy also includes reduced overburden royalty rates, increases the reserved plot allocation from two to five during auctions, and provides exemptions for DMFT fees on overburden. Additionally, lower royalty rates will apply to overburden used in M-sand production. The policy mandates that 50 per cent of the sand requirements in government and government-funded construction projects be met using M-sand.