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BRS alleges fraud in sand permits

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.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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