Nagpur: Maharashtra govt will introduce a ‘zero royalty’ policy for sand imported from neighbouring states to address shortages and support construction activity, Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced in Legislative Council on Wednesday. He said the policy would be announced before ongoing monsoon session concludes.Responding to a query raised by MLC Parinay Fuke, Bawankule said the policy could also apply to districts such as Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Amravati wherever shortages arise. Govt is considering imposing a transport or transit charge to generate funds for repairing rural roads damaged by heavy sand transportation vehicles.He also said the govt is preparing a proposal to permit sand extraction through suction pumps in Tapi riverbed on lines of existing policy in Konkan region.
