Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala has raised the fine for illegal sand mining from rivers to Rs 5 lakh. It was Rs 25,000 earlier. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan signed the Protection of River Banks and Regulation of Removal of Sand (Amendment) Act that hiked the fine.

Additional fine of Rs 50,000 per day will be levied if the violation continues. It was Rs 1,000 earlier.

Collectors can now sell forfeited sand at auction. Earlier, only the public works department could sell it.