Probe Launched into Illegal Sand Mining in Chirala Constituency, ET RealEstate
VIJAYAWADA: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed displeasure about the illegal mining of sand in Chirala constituency and asked officials to launch a probe into the issue.
The chief minister directed officials to take stringent action against those responsible and asked them to not spare anyone bringing disrepute to the govt on sand exploration and transportation. Naidu had already directed the ministers and party legislators to keep away from illegal activities including sand exploration.
Reacting to the complaints received at the party state office, the chief minister asked senior officials to look into the issue immediately. Bapatla district collector JV Murali asked Chirala RDO and DSP to submit a comprehensive report on the illegal sand mining at Ipurupalem straight cut (a major drain). Locals reported to have approached the public grievance cell at TDP state office in Mangalagiri with a complaint about large-scale illegal mining. They have also submitted video and photo evidence to prove their allegation and said that sand mining was going on without any permission in Chirala, Vetapalem and Ipurupalem mandals in Chirala constituency.
Locals alleged that sand is being sold at ₹8,000- ₹10,000 per tractor against the govt fixed price of ₹3,000 per trip. They also brought to the notice of the office bearers in the party’s central office that the price of sand was relatively lower during the previous regime. “The sand operators are not even issuing the bill even after collecting huge amounts from people. The local ruling party leaders were making huge profits from the sand sale,” alleged Nagarjuna, a local social activist, in his complaint.
Allegations were rife that a noted leader of ruling party procured nearly 50 JCBs for sand operations in the constituency and is reported to have made it clear to all private operators that entire exploration, transportation and sale would be done only through his team. He allegdly asked private operators either to employ his men and machines or leave the constituency. The operators of tractors and lorries who wanted to take the stock by enrolling in the district mines portal too have been threatened to pay huge sum to the influential leader. While a tractor operator has been asked to pay ₹20,000 per month, lorry operator was asked to pay ₹50,000 per month. Even a bullock cart which used to transport sand was also asked to pay ₹10,000 per month. “No vehicle which was not listed in the influential leader’s diary is being allowed to operate,” confirmed a TDP leader.
