Maharashtra to slap MPDA Act provisions on sand mafia

Amid rising cases of illegal sand mining and attacks, especially on employees, the Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday took a crucial decision to apply the provisions of Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Slumlords, Bootleggers, Drug Offenders and Dangerous Persons Act (MPDA) against sand mafias or smugglers.

Definitions of sand smuggling and sand smuggler/mafia will be incorporated in the section 2 of the Act. The government will also take action against those involved in assisting those sand mafia and smugglers. Necessary changes will also be made in the rules and guidelines.

According to the Cabinet decision, imposition of MPDA was necessary as the government has received a large number of complaints with regard to organised attacks against revenue officials and employees by sand mafias and smugglers.

NEW FRONTIERS

• Definitions of sand smuggling and sand smuggler/mafias will be incorporated in the section 2 of MPDA
   
• Illegal sand mining and excavation attributed to urbanisation, housing and infra growth spurt

Due to the spurt in demand for sand, illegal sand mining and excavation have also been on the rise.

Those involved are obstructing Government officials from holding sand auctions.

Further, the State Cabinet also decided to apply the provisions of MPDA against those involved in the black marketing of essential commodities.

The period of arrest will be increased to one year from the present six months.