Steps for effective implementation of new sand policy on cards on cards

GUNTUR

Minister for Agriculture Prattipati Pulla Rao addressing to media on Sunday here said that effective steps are being taken to implement the new sand policy.

The Agriculture minister said that a district-level committee headed by the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, Joint Collector, Project Directors of DRDA, DWMA and Deputy Transport Commissioners as members for effective implementation. He said that it will monitor and ensure that sand is not sold above the price fixed by the government and will review the position from time to time.

Pulla Rao said that another committee headed by Deputy Transport Commissioner with Additional Superintendent of Police and Joint Collector will look into the transportation related issue and Vigilance and Monitoring committee will monitor any violations in implementation. He said that it will work under the supervision of Guntur Urban and Rural SPs.

He said that 24,657 cubic metres of sand worth over Rs. 5.34 lakh from five sand reaches in the district has been sold so far. The government had fixed the sand price at Rs.650 per one cubic metre of sand. There are 160 sand reaches in the State and it will go up to 200 likely in the coming days. He warned stern action would the taken against violators. He asked the people to inform officials about such incidents on toll free number 1800 121 2020.

Farm loan waiver:

On the issue of farm loan waiver, Pulla Rao said that the process is on and till date 60 lakh accounts of farmers have been found eligible and another 20 lakh accounts are being cross-checked. He added that 20 per cent of the assured loan waiver amount would be credited after return of Chandrababu Naidu from Japan tour. The accounts of those who do not have either ration card or voter card will be updated in another fortnight.

DWCRA Bazar to empower women:

Pulla Rao inaugurated a DWCRA Bazaar at Sri Venkateswara Vignayana Mandir here. As many as 25 stall were erected and a wide variety of products manufactured by the DWCRA groups were put for sale and the event will go on till November 25. He said that the efforts are on to bring down the sand price by more than 50 per cent, he said.