TN cracks down on M-sand units operating without valid registration
Chennai, July 27
The Tamil Nadu government has intensified its crackdown on irregularities in the state's mineral resources sector following the change in administration, with a series of surprise inspections exposing widespread violations in quarrying and manufactured sand production.
State Minister for Mines and Minerals, Prabhu, has been conducting unannounced inspections across several districts, directing officials to seal quarries found operating in violation of mining regulations.
The government has also ordered the mass transfer of mineral resources department officials suspected of failing to prevent or act against illegal mining activities.
The government's enforcement drive initially triggered a sharp increase in the price of M-Sand, as producers cited disruptions caused by stricter action against black granite quarries. However, the proposed price hike was withdrawn after the minister convened a meeting with industry associations and warned them against exploiting the situation.
At the same time, the government ordered a detailed inquiry into alleged violations committed by M-Sand manufacturing units. According to a senior official from the Department of Geology and Mining, M-Sand is produced by crushing and processing hard black stone to serve as an alternative to river sand, which is increasingly restricted due to environmental concerns.
The Tamil Nadu government has long recommended the use of M-Sand for construction activities as a sustainable substitute for natural river sand.
The official explained that all M-Sand manufacturing units are required to register with the Public Works Department (PWD). These registrations must be renewed periodically, generally every three to five years, to ensure compliance with quality and operational standards.
Tamil Nadu currently has 506 registered M-Sand manufacturing units. However, a recent verification of registration records revealed that nearly 40 per cent of these units -- around 200 factories -- have failed to renew their registrations.
Authorities have also found that many of these units have continued production for more than three years without obtaining the mandatory renewal.
Officials say the lapse raises serious concerns over the quality and regulatory compliance of M-Sand being supplied to the construction sector. Since these units are operating without updated registrations, the government is now examining what legal and administrative action should be taken against them.
The issue was reportedly discussed during a recent high-level review meeting on the functioning of the Department of Geology and Mining, chaired by Chief Minister Vijay.
Officials indicated that enforcement action against M-Sand manufacturers operating without valid registrations is expected to begin shortly as part of the state's broader effort to restore transparency and accountability in the mining sector.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the crackdown, but what about the sudden price hike they tried to impose? That's profiteering. The government should also monitor the price of M-sand after these actions so that genuine builders don't suffer. Transparency in both production and pricing is key.
As someone working in construction, this is overdue. M-sand is a great alternative to river sand, but only if it's properly processed. Unregistered units probably skip quality checks. Happy to see the government taking this seriously. Hope it leads to better infrastructure overall.
"Nearly 40% of M-sand units operating without renewal" – that's shocking! No wonder construction quality suffers. But the government should also simplify the registration process so small operators can comply easily. Punishment alone won't solve the problem; we need better governance.
As a homeowner who just built a house, I faced severe delays because of M-sand shortages. The government's move is necessary, but they must also ensure that supply doesn't get disrupted. A balance between enforcement and availability is crucial for the construction sector. 🙏
Interesting. In the US, we have strict environmental laws for sand mining, but M-sand is less common. This seems like a smart move for India to reduce river sand mining. But the government needs to ensure the alternative is both affordable and high quality. Good first step.
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