Revanth Reddy orders overhaul of sand policy amid corruption concerns

Hyderabad: In a bid to curb corruption and streamline operations in the sand mining sector, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of Telangana has directed officials to draft a new sand policy. The move comes in response to mounting concerns about the existing policy, which has reportedly become a breeding ground for corruption.

Addressing officials at a meeting with Mines and Geology authorities, Chief Minister Reddy emphasized the need for a policy that not only meets the demands of the people but also ensures revenue generation for the government. He pointed out that unauthorized sand quarrying and illegal transportation have been rampant, necessitating immediate action.

Underlining the urgency of the situation, the Chief Minister instructed officials to study the sand policies implemented in neighboring states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. He warned that stringent measures would be taken against any violations, with vigilance and anti-corruption bureau officials set to conduct inspections across all districts.

During a recent surprise inspection along key routes, a significant number of unauthorized sand trucks were apprehended, revealing the extent of the illicit activity. Chief Minister Reddy stressed the need for decisive action against those responsible, emphasizing that fines alone would not suffice.

Furthermore, he called for the seizure of unauthorized stone crushers operating on the outskirts of Hyderabad and emphasized the importance of collecting taxes from pits exceeding six feet in depth. To streamline operations, he proposed integrating building permissions with the department through an online system.

Chief Minister Reddy also requested a detailed report on cases related to granite and other quarries, including their current status and the agencies handling them. The overarching goal, he asserted, is to root out irregularities and ensure transparency within the Mines and Geology department.

The directive from Chief Minister Reddy signals a concerted effort by the Telangana government to address concerns of corruption and malpractice in the sand mining sector, underscoring its commitment to governance reform and accountability.

Last year TSMDC (Telangana State Mineral Dev Corp) Chairman Krishank Manne reacted to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s allegations of illegal sand mining. He said, “that Mr. Gandhi had turned into a script reader and was making baseless accusations about sand policy in Telangana. “Can Rahul Gandhi answer why the revenue from sand increased 149 times in the BRS regime when compared to the Congress Government?” All this happened thanks to the vision of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao.