Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to formulate a policy on the issue of allocations in mining leases for Vadderas. He said that proposals should be prepared to discuss the issue of providing 15 percent reservation in mines for vadders and societies in the next cabinet meeting.
Conducting a review on the Mines Department and the free sand policy at the Secretariat in Amaravati, he suggested that the existing policy for growing as MSMEs should be linked with the allocation of mining leases. He also said that the total value of minerals available in the state should be determined and instructed the officials to conduct a comprehensive study for this.
Stating that neighboring states are earning high income through value addition, the Chief Minister directed that a plan should be prepared accordingly in our state as well. He said that if value is added, there is a possibility of earning income of Rs. 20,000 crores to 30,000 crores from minerals. He asked to grant permissions to 6,500 pending applications for mining.
He said that satellite images and drone-based technology should be used to analyze mining activities in the state. He said that there is a possibility of earning more income through mining of heavy minerals like beach sand minerals and value addition. He said that a study should be done on the supply of raw iron ore to the steel factory to be built in Kadapa.
The Chief Minister made it clear that all the people should benefit from the free sand policy implemented by the government. Accordingly, he ordered that the free sand supply should be implemented more effectively. The rules should be strictly implemented so that there is no possibility of misuse by exploiting the shortcomings in the system.
Officials explained to the CM on this occasion that 66.50 lakh tons of sand have been stored this season and currently 43 lakh tons of sand is available at all stock points. He said that the distribution of sand should be done so that the last person gets the benefit. He suggested that the cost of loading as well as transportation should be kept to a minimum.
CM Chandrababu said that the surveillance of CCTV cameras installed on all routes along the inter-state borders should be further strengthened. They want to monitor the free distribution policy in RTGS. Mines and Geothermal Resources Minister Kollu Ravindra, senior officials of the department Mukesh Kumar Meena, Praveen Kumar, and RTGS officials participated in this review.
