Hyderabad | Feb 02, 2017: Industries and Mining Minister K T Rama Rao on Wednesday said the government would deal firmly with the sand mafia.

During a video conference held here on Wednesday, he said the aim of the government was to make available sand to all at an affordable price.

The government would not spare the illegal transporters of sand. Observing that sand sales had earned significant income to the State exchequer in the past two years, he said this year also efforts should be made to see that the revenue go up.

The Minister said the natural resources were the property of the people and measures would be taken to see that they are not being exploited by some. He directed the District Collectors to take strict action against those who were holding illegal dumps of sand and digging.

The Collectors were told to look into the issue of overloading and way bill issues. Officials should be more vigilant at the interstate borders, strict action should be taken on those who were transporting sand from other States, waybridges should be arranged wherever required and government would help to provide sand to local needs.

He directed them to seize vehicles used for illegal transportation of sand and blacklist. Cases should be filed not only on the drivers but also on the owners of the vehicles which were caught in illegal transport of sand.

Mining officials should form teams with police and Revenue officials, he said. Members of these teams should be changed randomly from time to time. The Minister appreciated the Collectors who formed joint teams and had crushed sand illegal transport. Appreciating the efforts of Peddapally District Collector for starting sand taxi system, the Minister advised other Collectors to emulate the example.

(Source: http://www.thehansindia.com/)