BHANDARA: Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule revealed that almost 50% of Bhandara city is situated on nazul land without ownership rights. He assured that the government is developing a plan to regularize these properties within a year, utilizing drone surveys. Additionally, a re-survey of sand resources in Bhandara district will be conducted soon, as current official records underestimate the sand availability.
Addressing sand mining, Bawankule pointed out that while government records indicate only 7 lakh brass of sand in the district, the actual availability is much greater. “A minimum of 25 lakh brass of sand is available,” he stated.
The minister instructed the district collector to employ technology for the re-survey. “Only after the survey can we apply for environmental clearance. We will also analyze what was mined (aside from sand) in the last 20 years and assess the loss to the government,” he remarked. Auctions for sand mining will occur after the survey concludes.
Bawankule acknowledged that no ownership process for nazul land has commenced in Bhandara’s seven municipal councils. “By ownership, I mean property cards have not yet been issued. In rural areas, we will use drone surveys to distribute property cards, and we will implement the same in Bhandara city. We are actively working on this proposal, aiming for completion within a year,” he added.
The mapping of ‘pandhan’ roads in villages, which has not occurred since the British era in the 1930s, has also started. “Every other road has been numbered; now we will assign numbers to all ‘pandhan’ roads. This initiative will facilitate organized development,” Bawankule noted, adding that trees will be planted along these roads to prevent encroachments and support reforestation efforts.
The minister emphasized the significance of direct benefit transfer (DBT) to guarantee beneficiaries receive government incentives. “Starting Tuesday, our revenue department will assign staff to every village and each resident. Their DBT documentation will be verified, and assistance will be provided for those who are not registered,” he explained.
Bawankule also warned of strict measures against encroachments on government land, particularly on commercial properties. In terms of combating the sand mafia, he announced that a policy for artificial sand has already been implemented. “Within three years, 100% of sand used for PWD projects will be artificial, with each district receiving 50 crushers,” he concluded.
