Technical Assistants to Keep Vigil on Illegal Sand Mining

VISAKHAPATNAM: Amid allegations over misuse of the state government’s free sand scheme, the district administration has appointed technical assistants at all the 14 sand reaches in Visakhapatnam district.

Guidelines have been issued to restrict loading charges and the maximum was fixed at `900 (`100 per cubic metre) for loading a lorry.

Joint collector J Nivas said that the technical assistants had been appointed at the sand reaches in Juttada, Lakkavaram and Gauripatnam villages of Chodavaram mandal, JP Peta, Sagaram villages of V Madugula mandal, Somidevipalli village of S.Rayavaram mandal, Narayanarajupeta village of Makavarapalem mandal, Mangabanda of Pedabayalu mandal, Yetikoppaka of Yelamanchali mandal, Panduru,  Kottagottivada, Gottivada, Kailasapatnam and Choudavada villages of Kotavuratla  mandal in Visakhapatnam district.

Nivas further said that they had already appointed in-charge officers at the sand reaches and now the technical assistants will be available at the reaches from 6 am to 6 pm, who would check illegal transportation of sand. He also said that the technical assistants would be given electronic tabs, through which he  would upload all the details of free sand scheme in a given website.

Nivas also asked the technical assistants to make sure that the sand was mined only up to one metre depth, and should not cross the limit.

He also said that for government purpose, they should allow sand only after verifying coupon received from the tahsildar concerned, while for the private purpose, they must go by the regulations.

Nivas also asked the technical assistants to inform police, tahsildars or directly to him, if they find any misuse of the free sand scheme.

 The  joint collector also ordered the Irrigation department to construct cement pillars around the sand reaches.