Implementing another major election promise, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is implementing `free sand’ policy from Monday, giving relief to the people from the menace of `sand mafia’ that played havoc during five-year regimeo of YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
The recent sand policy introduced by the new state government will come into force from Monday. Accordingly, the Chief SecretaryNirab Kumar Prasad, has given instructions to all the District Collectors. Due to the current floods, there is no sand mining. Sand mining will be done from September. But the government has decided to implement the free sand policy from Monday.
As a part of that, sand available at the stock points (storage centers) in all the districts will be sold. It has fixed a ton of sand as Rs.375 towards transport and operational charges only. But this price also increases depending on the distance. But if the sand mining starts, there is a possibility that the price of a ton of sand will increase.
This Rs. 375 is collected for transportation and scenery. Rs.88 will be paid to Gram Panchayat, Mandala Parishad and Zilla Parishad under scenery. The rest is taken under loading and half loading.
YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who came to power in 2019, made changes in the sand policy and it was sold by placing reaches. As `sand mafia’ created havoc, the price of sand increased abnormally, which practically restrained construction activity. As a result, construction workers and poor people who build houses faced a lot of difficulties. It affected their livelihood also.
The TDP leaders have criticized on many occasions that the sand was looted by YCP MLAs and other key leaders. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also expressed anger over illegal sand mining in the state and even the Supreme Court issued directions to the state government asking to stop illegal sand mining. Now, many hope the free sand policy will give relief from existing difficulties.