Chandigarh, Sep 1 (IANS): The opposition Congress Monday sought a one-day session of the Punjab assembly over the sky-rocketing sand prices in the state due to the stranglehold of the sand mafia.

Accusing the Punjab government of being a "mere puppet" in the hands of the sand mafia due to vested interests, Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar said as a consequence of the role of the sand mafia, public works and construction work in the private sector have been severely affected.

Jakhar said the high cost of sand and other inputs have affected construction activity across Punjab.

He said due to vested interests of some people, the cost of sand continues to be high and the Parkash Singh Badal government was taking no action to auction the sand mines.

Jakhar dared the chief minister to call a one-day legislative session exclusively on the issue of high prices of sand.

"Let it be publically telecast, so that the people of Punjab should know the real truth behind so costly sand and artificial scarcity," Jakhar said.

"People of Punjab must understand that the incumbent Punjab government has vested interests in the sand mines and now the excuse of passing the buck on to the central government too stands exhausted," he said.

He also accused the Punjab government of "complacency and role" in the actions of the sand mafia.

Besides, he said the policies of the Badal government were forcing people to pay higher prices for sand.