The Jaganmohan Reddy led government in AP has decided to provide sand for free to the bullock carts, which come to the sand reaches. For other vehicles, the money is collected based on tonnage, the vehicle owners should also bear the transport charges.
A policy similar to that of Chandrababu Naidu regime
The free sand policy was implemented during the final stages of the government of Chandrababu Naidu. According to the system, diggers will have to pay for the transport charges. However, the Jaganmohan Reddy government stopped sand mining for a few months, resulting in a slump of the construction market and several workers losing their livelihood. This resulted in disrepute to the government as the mafia became rampant.
Realizing its mistake, the government brings in a new policy
As per the policy, the government collects Rs 375 for a tonne and this includes expenditure for the digging and loading. However, transport charges are excluded. They will fill the tractors or lorries which come to the reaches in need of the sand. The people with bullock carts staying 8 km away from the reaches are provided free sand. There are no bullet carts now and the government knows this very well. It will not be helpful to say that we are giving it for free. If needed, the details of one month should be taken and it will be clear how much percentage they are giving free.
Initially, sand mining permit was given to only to a single organization but now it is learnt that they want to give it to three organizations. The rulers should explain to the people what the advantage is in giving permission to three organizations instead of taking up the auction locally. The total points in the policy are yet to come out. The government has a responsibility to clarify the doubts of the public.
During the Chandrababu Naidu’s regime, the government used to give free sand and collect the digging and transport charges. Even now the transport charges are borne by the people taking sand. They have also decided rates per tonne which include digging and loading. There are no chances of sand coming in at a lesser price compared to the Chandrababu Naidu regime.
It appears that the Jaganmohan Reddy’s government has accepted that its policy was wrong. The people who supported the policy earlier should take back their words. People will not take into consideration who has looted the sand money. What they want is to have sand at low prices. They will criticize if the prices are high. It has to be seen what steps the government would take.
