Nellore, India – The free sand scheme touted by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu as part of the coalition government has come under fire from Kakanin Govardhan Reddy, the district president of YSR Congress Party and former minister. He vehemently criticized the initiative, claiming it to be a massive scam that allows coalition leaders to loot natural resources while lining their own pockets. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s district office in Nellore, Reddy alleged that coalition MLAs were charging prices that are more than five times the government-set rates, siphoning off over ₹3 crore monthly from each sand reach.
Reddy revealed that he has conducted a thorough examination of the Surayapalem sand reach before voicing his concerns. He presented photographs showcasing illegal sand mining activities occurring at odd hours, including midnight and early morning, in blatant disregard of regulations. The former minister detailed how the revenue from sand sales is being embezzled through QR codes, a method he described as a direct theft from the public coffers.
He demanded that if Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had any genuine concern for the welfare of the people, he should take immediate action against those plundering natural resources. “Those found illegally mining sand should be arrested and paraded in public,” he stated, expressing his outrage over police asking for ministerial permission to apprehend sand thieves. Reddy accused the authorities of colluding with coalition leaders in facilitating these illegal operations.
Reddy went further to highlight the environmental impact of these activities, particularly on the Penna River, which he claimed is suffering due to the rampant exploitation of its natural resources. He pointed out that local MLAs, under the guise of the free sand scheme, are filling their pockets while the riverbed is being damaged. Heavy machinery is allegedly being used to mine sand illegally, with operations continuing day and night.
He provided shocking figures, asserting that while government regulations dictate a fee of ₹68 per ton for a truckload of sand, the coalition leaders are charging up to ₹1,250—a hike of almost five times the government rate. Despite regulations limiting sand mining to specific hours, Reddy claimed that illegal activities are ongoing around the clock.
In his remarks, he raised concerns over the safety of local residents, noting that deep pits left by illegal mining are claiming lives, yet officials remain indifferent. Reddy urged that stringent actions should be taken against those involved in sand theft and questioned the role of police, who, according to him, are not acting in accordance with the law.
He further accused coalition leaders of using intimidation tactics against those who challenge their illegal activities, asserting that the police are complicit, openly accepting commissions from sand thieves. Reddy’s frustrations were amplified by the fact that when he attempted to expose these corrupt practices, police intervened to protect the wrongdoers.
In conclusion, Kakanin Govardhan Reddy’s statements shed light on the ongoing issues surrounding the free sand scheme, framing it as a façade for widespread corruption. His accusations raise serious questions about the accountability of the coalition government and the integrity of law enforcement in tackling resource exploitation in Nellore.
