The BRS has accused the state government of violating mining regulations with its new rules on sand mining and sale, claiming they have paved the way for large-scale exploitation.
Hyderabad:The BRS has accused the state government of violating mining regulations with its new rules on sand mining and sale, claiming they have paved the way for large-scale exploitation.
At a press conference on Thursday, BRS leader Manne Krishank criticised the February 11 orders issued by the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TSMDC), which require officials to work in three shifts: 7 am to 3 pm, 3 pm to 11 pm and 11 pm to 7 am. He pointed out that this violates the Government of India’s environmental guidelines, which mandate that sand mining operations be conducted only between 6 am and 7 pm.
He also highlighted that the TSMDC admitted to widespread overloading and fraudulent practices involving zero-loading vehicles in its own orders. He alleged that these malpractices have severely affected government revenues from sand sales. “During KCR’s tenure, annual revenue from sand mining exceeded `800 crore, but it has now fallen drastically,” he alleged.
Krishank further said the Congress government had changed five managing directors of the TSMDC in a year, demonstrating the chaotic situation. “The government must withdraw the policy which violates environmental norms and initiate an inquiry with a legislative committee into all aspects of sand mining,” he demanded.
