Published 16:07 IST, November 1st 2019
Naidu: AP govt sells sand to other states creating artificial scarcity
TDP Chief Chandrababu Naidu alleged that YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government is selling sand to other states, creating artificial scarcity.
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Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday criticised the Andhra Pradesh Government over the sand policy and alleged the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government is selling sand to other states and creating artificial scarcity.
'YSRCP leaders are looting sand'
"Today sand mafia is ruling the roost in Andhra Pradesh. Almost 30 lakh building construction workers are suffering badly. But the government is not at all responding," Naidu said. He further asserted the alleged stealing of sand is a violation of Human Rights. "This is a violation of human rights. YSRCP leaders are looting sand and their leader is turning a blind eye. As of now, five persons committed suicides, and the government is irresponsibly making comments on them," he said as quoted by a news agency.
Attacking the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government over the sand policy, Chandrababu further said, "Even if the government sits idle, sand would have been available. But the government is selling sand to other states and creating artificial scarcity. The government must bring back the free sand policy that was introduced by our government."
CM's effort to ease sand crisis
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister on Tuesday held a review meeting to discuss the 'sand shortage' in the state. According to sources, he ordered the officials to make sure that sand is not sold to other states “under any circumstances”, and asked the areas that border Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka to be monitored. The CM also assured people that all necessary steps are being taken to tackle the sand shortage. He also dismissed the comments made by opposition parties as "false".
Pushing workers to commit suicide
According to reports, a 34-year-old man identified as C Nagabrahmaji, who worked as a mason in Guntur's Sangam Jagarlamudi village, hanged himself at his home on October 25. On the same day, P Venkat Rao, a construction worker, hanged himself in Guntur. On October 2, a plumber named Polepalli Venkatesh hanged himself at his home in Gorantla village in Guntur district due to financial strains. According to reports, the ongoing sand crisis has left many construction workers jobless. Chandrababu Naidu has also demanded that the government pay Rs 25 lakh compensation to the families of bereaved. He has also demanded the government to bring back the 'free sand' policy.
(With ANI inputs)
14:26 IST, November 1st 2019