In a bid to tackle corruption stemming from the existing sand policy, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy issued a directive on Thursday to formulate a new policy that aligns with the people’s needs and enhances government revenue.
At a meeting with Mines and Geology officials, the Chief Minister emphasized the urgency of addressing unauthorized sand quarrying and illegal transportation. He urged officials to study policies from neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka to inform the new policy’s framework.
Taking immediate action, Revanth Reddy mandated a 48-hour turnaround for officials to revamp their practices. Subsequently, vigilance and ACB officials would conduct inspections across all districts to curb violations, with strict penalties for offenders. Recent surprise inspections revealed alarming rates of illegal sand transportation, with 25% of checked trucks found to be operating without authorization.
The Chief Minister underscored the need to root out irregularities across the Mines and Geology department, urging officials to seize unauthorized stone crushers and enforce tax regulations on pit excavation. Furthermore, he called for an integrated online system to streamline building permissions and requested a comprehensive report on granite and quarry-related cases for further action.
