KURNOOL ( Andhra Pradesh) | Sept 10, 2015: Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Mining Peethala Sujatha on Wednesday directed mining officials to brace to achieve the annual mining revenue target of Rs. 204.21 crore by checking illicit mining.
Addressing a departmental review meeting, she said the revenue accrual by August end was Rs. 53.99 crore, barely 25 per cent of the target. Warning of stringent action against mining officials who turned a blind eye to irregularities, she said the revenue from mining can be jacked up by curbing irregularities. Last year’s mining revenue was Rs. 142.37 crore, she said.
Ms. Sujatha directed officials to recover the large-scale pending royalties to strengthen Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s resolve to develop the State.
“Issue notices to defaulters and recover dues,” the Minister said. She also wanted measures to be taken to ensure cent per cent mineral growth rate.
She also wanted closed circuit cameras to be installed to keep a strict vigil to curb illicit sand quarrying and transport. “Sand of a region should meet local needs,” she said.
The Minister said that biometric system would be introduced for employees and children at anganwadi centres. aintaining that the Women and Child Welfare Department has been allotted Rs. 1,100 crore, she said complacency in supplying nutrients to pregnant women and children would not be tolerated.
Ms. Sujatha wanted awareness to be created to curb superstitious practices in agency areas and augmentation of health care.
“Anganwadi centres should be run like convents, and parents must be enlightened to join their children in anganwadi centres, as they will be provided nutritious food there,” she said.
(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)