To curb sand smuggling, and illegal hoarding and sale of sand at high prices, the Andhra Pradesh government has launched a toll-free number: 14500.
Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy launched the number today at his camp office in Tadepalli.
The number was launched to help the public report corruption in any form related to sand mining, transport, storage and sale.
The Chief Minister himself called the toll-free number and spoke to the employees working at the call centre. He made several suggestions to the employees on how to deal with the various kinds of complaints that might come in.
The AP government has a new sand mining policy that is says is aimed at putting an end to the sand mining mafia. As part of this policy, the government will impose a fine of Rs 2 lakh on anyone indulging in illegal storage, sale/resale and transportation of sand, and a sentence of imprisonment of up to two years.
The event was attended by Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, Chief Secretary Neelam Sawhney, DGP Gautam Sawang and Task Force chief Surendra Babu.