Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. (DC File Photo)
Vijayawada: Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has directed forest department officials to arrest the kingpins behind the red sanders smuggling. He noted on Friday that the gangs are indiscriminately cutting the precious trees and smuggling these out to international markets through the neighbouring states.
“Officials must strengthen the surveillance system to curb the red sander smuggling from the Seshachalam forests,” the deputy CM who handles the forest department said.
The Kadapa district forest officials submitted a report to Pawan Kalyan regarding the recent haul of 158 red sander logs worth 1.6 crore at the Jagananna Colony in Potladurthi, the YSR Kadapa district.
The officials stated that the accused Dudekula Basha, Mohammad Rafi, A Rafi and Chelluboina Siva Sai were arrested by the police in this connection. The police also found the involvement of Latif Basha, Lal Basha, Zakeer and Fakrudin in the case.
PK asked the officials to identify the sites used by the smugglers to dump red sander logs and arrest the kingpins. The police and forest departments should work in tandem to nab the red sander smugglers,” he said.
The deputy chief minister further enquired about the number of cases registered so far, how many accused were punished, how many cases were dismissed, and the reasons for the dismissal of the cases.
He said the officials must bring back the red sander logs caught in the neighbouring states and Nepal.
Later in the day, Pawan Kalyan held a review meeting with pollution control board officials and directed them to ensure that the industries operating in the state followed the pollution norms.
The officials explained to PK, who is also in charge of environment, the activities of the Pollution Control Board. They told him that an 'Environmental App' and a website have been made available for environment-related matters in the state.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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