Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation Chairman Krishank Manne has strongly condemned the allegations made by Rahul Gandhi in Mulugu over Sand mining in Telangana. Krishank said, ” Rahul Gandhi has become a script reader and is making baseless accusations on Sand policy in Telangana. Telangana Government under Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao leadership has increased the revenue to Rs.5,901.73 Crore from meagre Rs.39.66 Crore in Congress regime.
Without going into facts, Rahul Gandhi randomly made allegations that sand is under control of Chief Minister’s family. Can Rahul Gandhi answer why the revenue from sand increased 149 times in BRS regime when compared to the Congress Government? Congress seems to have become a hub of lies and fake news. This has been done without even increasing sand prices and all due to the introduction of New Sand Mining Policy in the year 2015.
“Prior to introduction of New Sand Mining Policy from 2007 – 2014, the revenue from the sand was Rs.39.66 Crores. The price of sand was also more than 1500 per tonne and that too sand was not available on a regular basis. After introduction of New Sand Mining Policy by the Government of Telangana, so far an amount of Rs.5,901.73 Crore for 1,512.11 lakh MTs upto 17 -10-2O23 of sand was generated by Government. Congress made it extremely difficult for people to get access to sand and realise their dream home. But under CM KCR’s visionary leadership, everything has been made transparent and people are not able to apply online”, Krishank said.
Sand was also available during the rainy season without any shortage and rates were also under control even during the rainy season, Krishank emphasized that there has been no increase in the rates in the open market from 2014 to till date. TSMDC Chairman recalled that even Central Government against whom State Government has been at loggerheads, had no choice but to appreciate the New Sand Mining Policy. Secretary Mines, Government of India not only appreciated the futuristic policy of CM KCR’s Government but also informed the other states to adopt the Telangana State Sand Mining system.
“Before coming to lecturing us, Rahul Gandhi needs to talk to his own parties in different States, learn on how they are emulating our policy. Minister Shri Navjot Singh Sidhu, along with 5 member team visited Kaleshwaram sand reaches to witness the sand operations. This Telangana State Sand Mining Policy is the most transparent system wherein starting from extraction till it reaches the end user is monitored in a most transparent manner, Infact 1 member from Government of Chattisgarh also came here to learn ,” Krishank reminded.
Telangana Sand Mining Policy was studied by at least seven States including 2 members of team including Secretary from Government of India, Ministry of Mines. This apart, 7 members of the team from the Government of Karnataka, 4 members of the team including the Secretary from Government of Madhya Pradesh, 3 members of team from Government of Jharkhand, Officials from Government of Maharashtra and Official from Government of Tamil Nadu.