Online sale of river sand began officially on Tuesday but actual sale when home builders could register through Akshaya Centres for supply of up to 10 loads of sand is likely to begin only in the first week of December.
Minister for Public Works V. K. Ebrahim Kunju said the online facility would make river sand sale faultless and end complaints on availability. An official associated with Akshaya said home builders could register for supplies after providing documents such as building permit, approved building plan, ration card of the applicant as well as a recommendation from the local body. The applications would be centrally processed at the district level and tokens issued to applicants though Akshaya Kendras. There are a total of 210 Akshaya Centres in the district. Trial runs of online sand sale using software developed by National Informatics Centre have begun. The system had been deployed in Kannur with good results, said the official.
The Public Relations Department said counters opened at the District Collectorate, seven taluk offices and village offices at Piravom and Njarakkal would have sand counters where money could be paid before taking the sand.
