Online system of sand allotment to be launched in Hassan soon

It aims at saving people from exploitation by middlemen

The Hassan district administration is all set to introduce a people-friendly online system of providing sand extracted in the district.

The new system aims at avoiding the middlemen, who procure sand from the Public Works Department and sell it to the people at a higher price and the rampant corruption in the trade, besides helping those who require sand for construction purposes.

Almost ready

“The system is almost ready. It will soon be launched,” said S.S. Madhukeshwar, Assistant Commissioner of Sakleshpur subdivision, on Saturday. Under the existing system, truck owners are acting as middlemen.

Transport permits

They obtain transport permits after paying a fixed fee to the government and sell it to the public. At present, the government charges between Rs. 3,800 and Rs. 4,300 a truck load of sand. The truck owners are selling the same for up to Rs. 20,000 to those who require it for construction purposes. “

Sand policy

As per the sand policy, the permit should be issued in the name of the customer. Now, the customer is dependant on truck owners to buy sand. The new system aims at generating permits in the name of customers, who apply for sand online,” said the officer. The district administration has developed a software for this purpose with the help of a private agency. The software invites applications from people who want sand. It contains details of sand available at different stockyards so that the customer can choose the one suitable for him.

Fixed fee

“The customer has to pay the fixed fee to the government and get in touch owners of trucks, which have installed GPS. The software provides the list of trucks available and their contact numbers,” he said. With this system, truck owners lose the option for fixing the rate of sand and the cost of transportation. The customers can bargain on transportation cost, depending upon the distance involved.

Scarcity issue

Considering the scarcity of sand, the district administration has restricted the transportation of sand extracted within the district to places outside the district. The software has been designed in accordance with this decision. The district administration will allot sand to applicants on first-come first-served basis. “This system will avoid stakeholders from levelling allegations against government officers like favouritism or indulging in corruption,” he said.