Govt inks pact with 82 landowners: Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy

Amaravati: Minister for Mines Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy said that the government has entered into an agreement with 82 patta landowners for sand mining. Out of these, already permission has been given for sand mining in 10 patta lands to overcome the sand crisis.

He said that there was no problem of the State facing sand shortage during the next five years at a press conference at Secretariat on Tuesday. It is worth to mention here that, when all the Opposition parties have been preparing ground for massive protests across the State on sand scarcity, the government has been claiming that there is no shortage of sand.

The Minister said that unlike the rainy season during the past 10 years, this year the State witnessed abundant rainfall. With this, Krishna and Godavari rivers have been receiving floodwater for the past 70 and 40 days respectively.

He said that the government is trying all the possible ways to meet the demand for sand by supplying sand from patta lands. Krishna and Godavari rivers are still receiving floods, hence sand could not be supplied from the major reaches in the State.

Sand from patta lands is being supplied for construction. So far, the government entered into an agreement with 82 patta landowners and permission has been given for sand mining in 10 patta lands, said Minister.

He also mentioned that around 50,000 tonnes of sand has been supplied to CREDAI and realty companies. Steps are being initiated to prevent any problems to construction workers, he said.

The government entered into an agreement with landowners to pay Rs 100 per tonne of sand. Every year the State requires 2 crore tonnes of sand and there will be problem of sand shortage for the next five years. One the floods recede, sand can be supplied to users from the sand reaches, he said.

"As an alternative to sand, the government will also encourage M-sand units that can be manufactured from crusher stones. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is considering the proposal to provide loans at 25 per cent interest for those who set up units in the existing metal quarries," he added. Mining department Secretary Ram Gopal was also present at the meeting.