Sand Week Fest to be held next month: CM Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy

Amaravati: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that the government will conduct a Sand Week Fest next month. Measures will be taken to overcome sand crisis during the week.

The Chief Minister during a video-conference with officials on Tuesday said, "We can proudly say that we have been able to get rid of corruption in sand mining." He called for organising a 'sand weekend' and instructed the officials to work on the sand issue next week. In the past, the system was run by grave corruption and now, the government is undoing the damage.

The Chief Minister said that despite the government efforts to tackle the sand crisis, stones are being pelted on fruit-bearing tree. The TDP was making unnecessary allegations.

Due to floods it was difficult to extract the sand at the required level during the past 90 days. Despite the efforts by the government, false allegations were being made by the Opposition and he instructed officials that there was a need to condemn all these false claims immediately.

He directed the officials to make sure that under any circumstances sand should not be sent to other States. On the issue of construction workers, the Chief Minister said that about 70 sand reaches have been identified at lakes and bunds during floods. He also said that previously sand supply was laden with corruption and mafia.

Now, the government is monitoring sand supply and creating work opportunities. Anyone can collect sand from local resources and carry it in one tractor up to 20 km informing the Village Secretariat.

Those who require work can get at sand reaches through the Village Secretariat, the Chief Minister said and asked the District Collectors to monitor. By this, there will be no issue of lack of works, he said and instructed the officials to give works at reaches to those who ask till the floods subside.

He also said that the government extended the facility of Rythu Bharosa to tenant farmers and gave money to them and there are several chances for works. "We have to let people know what is happening. We must condemn the accusations of repeated wrongdoings despite no mistake from our side," the Chief Minister told the officials.

"We have decided to charge Rs 4.90 towards transport per km per tractor," he said. The Chief Minister instructed the District Collectors to receive applications and allocate works for those who come forward. He pointed out that despite availability of 267 reaches in the State, due to floods, sand is being supplied only from 69 reaches.