Mines DD's services surrendered to govt for neglecting sand policy: Collector R Muthyala Raju

Eluru: Mines Department Deputy Director Y S Babu has been sent back to the State government for his neglect of prestigious sand policy of the government andhis services have been surrendered, announced district Collector R Muthyala Raju.

A meeting of district sand committee reviewed sand pooling and supply here on Friday. The meeting was attended by the District Collector, Superintendent of Police Navdeep Singh Grewal, Joint Collector M Venugopal Reddy and other officials.

Collector Raju expressed his displeasure over vague replies of the mines department officials on sand procurement, supply and prices. He announced that he has been surrendering the services of Mines DD to government for not taking the sand policy seriously.

He instructed the officials to supply sand to customers without giving any scope for criticism. He asked the officials to focus on allegations that vehicle owners have been booking the sand and selling it at higher prices. He instructed the officials to intensify vigil on sand reaches and arrange CC cameras to check illegal sand transportation and sale.

The Collector directed the officials to register cases in such manner that those indulged in stocking of sand beyond necessity, illegal transportation and selling it at higher prices would get penalty of Rs 2 lakh and two year imprisonment as per the rules, besides seizure of vehicles.

SP Navdeep Singh Grewal informed the committee that 13 check-posts and eight mobile parties were deputed for round-the-clock vigil with the coordination of revenue officials.