Sand mafia ignores warnings of officials

Vijayawada: In spite of repeated warnings issued by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the District Collector B Lakshmikantham that stringent action would be taken against the sand smugglers and sand traders for selling the sand at excess price than the fixed by the government illegal sale of sand at higher price continues unabated in Krishna district.

The district administration earlier had fixed the prices for sale of sand and issued orders to the revenue, police and mining department to keep strict vigil and take action for violation of rules.

Task Forces were formed at mandal-level to keep vigil on sand smuggling and sale of sand at excess prices. District Collector B Lakshmikantam on Saturday said 17 vehicles were seized by the officials during the last week for violation of the rules on sand sales. He said Task Force teams seized tractors in Tiruvuru, Veerulapadu, Challapalli and Jaggaiahpeta. He said 17 tippers were seized in Gannavaram and eight tractors were seized in Bapulapadu mandal for illegally storing of sand and cases were registerd as per the norms.

On the other hand, the department of legal metrology conducted raids on 62 shops and booked cases for violation of rules. The officials conducted raids on mutton and chicken shops, hardware shops, grocery shops, electrical goods shops. The officials also seized 77 quintals of PDS rice and seized Rs 88,000 from the traders for violation of rules.

The Collector said the drugs control department officials conducted raids on 76 shops in the district during the last one week and booked 17 cases on traders for violation of rules. He said cases were booked on traders in Vijayawada, Machilipatnam, Avanigadda, Vuyyur, Challapalli and Nuzvid and other parts of the district. He announced food control, drug control, vigilance, revenue and police departments would continue raids and book cases for violation of rules.