Illegal sand mining: Maha to invoke MPDA, amend existing laws

Maharashtra cabinet is likely to approve a proposal to take action against the sand mafia under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA) at its next meeting.
Minister of state for Revenue Sanjay Rathod today said the government had prepared the proposal.
The government would not be enacting a new law to curb the illegal sand mining, instead it was going to amend the existing laws to make them more stringent, he said.
"The definition of 'threat' is being changed. Charges of dacoity will be pressed against those who are caught stealing machines used for sand excavation and such machines will be seized," Rathod told reporters here.

"The provisions of MPDA will be applied in case of attack on revenue officials. The home, law and judiciary departments as well as the chief secretary's office have given their sanction to the new provisions. They will come into existence after the cabinet's approval," Rathod said.
Revenue minister Eknath Khadse had recently said that sand dredging is banned in many areas including the neighbouring (coastal) Raigad district, but illegal dredging was rampant.