CM directs officials to address sand issues

Amaravati: As the state government has been flooding with the complaints on non-availability and exorbitant prices of sand even after the introduction of the new Sand Policy from September 5, the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy put a deadline to the officials to sort out it within the next couple of months.

"As the floods are decreased and sand is available, the price of sand also should be reduced. There should be a definite change in the system in the next 60 days" he said, during a review meeting on the Spandana programme on Tuesday at Secretariat.

Jagan instructed the officials to immediately address the issues relating to the sand supply and transportation and evolve a system that works in the interest of the people.

Jagan told the officials that the Government would pay Rs 4.90 per kilometre for whoever comes forward to transport the sand in the state.

All the sand reaches in the state should be open and a Joint Collector level officer should be appointed as in-charge for supply and transportation of Sand in the districts.

District Collectors brought to the notice of the Hon'ble Chief Minister that the transportation of sand has become difficult due to rains. Chief Minister has directed the officials to ensure corporations to provide loans to BC, SC and ST unemployed youth to buy vehicles which will be used for transportation of sand through contracts. Chief Minister also told the officials to ensure no corruption takes place in sand transportation. "Don't encourage political recommendations in sand supply and transportation and Sand mafia should be eradicated. I will give a free hand to officials in this regard" said Chief Minister.

Chief Minister told the officials to setup check-posts at borders of the state and ensure the sand is not exported to other states.