YSRC MLA SLAMS GOVT ON SAND
Giving credence to the outcry over shortcomings in the supply of sand across the state, YSRC’s Nellore Rural legislator Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy has opened up against irregularities in the allotment of sand in Pottepalem reach that is located in his constituency.
The comments came amid a statewide agitation against sand shortage launched by the Telugu Desam on Friday.
Speaking during a protest at Vijayawada. TD supremo N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded sand supply and compensation to workers for losing works for the past four months.
He said that the decision to cancel free sand policy had forced lakhs of workers dependent on the construction field into huge financial difficulties.
In Nellore, claiming that 10,000 tonnes of sand has been stored close to Pottepalem sand reach by APMDC officials, YSRC MLA expressed surprise over the stock finding its way not only to neighbouring districts like Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Chittoor but also to other States, without any allotment to the people of Nellore district.
Referring to the online booking in Mee Seva centres, he said that a couple of minutes after the portal opens at noon, a ‘no stock’ message is flashed. He also alleged that a tractor load of sand is being sold for `4,500 in Nellore district by the sand mafia, while the actual cost is only `2,600.
Stressing that the policy introduced by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to prevent illegal transportation of sand is meant to ensure the benefit reaches the people, he alleged that vested interests were making of mockery of the rules and regulations.
Reminding that the CM and legislators had given a free hand to officials to contain the sand mafia, he asked the collector about the reasons for the shortfall. “Who is responsible for these irregularities and who is the kingpin masterminding the operation? I will put an end to their games through a direct fight with the support of the people of the district” he asserted.
Stressing that sand should be supplied only through tractors from Pottepalem reach, he threatened to launch an agitation in support of construction workers, if officials supply sand in trucks or tippers since they are going to neighbouring states.