Mining and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao today directed the Collectors to conduct surgical strikes on illegal transport of sand in districts and punish those involved in irregularities.
The minister held a video conference with Collectors and asked them to provide adequate sand stocks for the irrigation projects and get more revenue through sand mining. “The Collectors should set up joint groups with revenue and police wings and conduct raids on illegal sand mining and transport incurring heavy loss to the government”, he said.
The minister vouched for seizing the vehicles for transporting sand through illegal norms. KTR asked the Collectors to procure sand for irrigation projects at submerging area and use it for commercial purposes through TSMDC to increase revenues through sand mining as per norms. He also said the police officials should act tough in coordination with the revenue to check the illegal mining and stocking of the sand.
The officials informed the ministers that adequate sand stock was available for projects and civil works in various departments. “The joint teams should make district level tours for the purpose and set up more sand reaches through TSMDC”, he added. TSMDC Chairman Sheri Subhash Reddy, Mining principal secretary Arvind Kumar and other officials were present. (NSS)