Chandigarh, April 4 -- Punjab cabinet on Thursday gave its nod to amend the minor mineral policy, paving the way for checking illegal mining and further reducing the price of sand and gravel for the public.

The amendment will also allow the landowners having property containing sand deposits to apply for a mining lease and sell the material in the open market at the government's notified rates.

A decision to this effect was taken by the council of ministers in a meeting held here under the chairmanship of the chief minister Bhagwant Mann at his official residence.

According to the chief minister's office spokesperson, the approved amendments in the Punjab Minor Mineral Policy aim to enhance the supply of raw materials in the market, re...