KTR Cancels Leases Of 477 Sand Mines

Telangana Mining & Industries Minister K T Rama Rao today cancelled the leases of 477 mines across the state for 2017-18 for alleged irregularities, and asked for criminal cases to be filed.

Government officials had found irregularities and violations at 79 places during the 354 inspections that they had carried out in Warangal, Hyderabad and Nizamabad districts. The minister held a meeting with the officials today and directed them to file criminal cases against those involved.

No one responsible for the irregularities should be spared, he said, and asked the officials to make use of technology in tracking all mining activity and to protect the ecological balance.

The minister favoured geo-fencing, geo-tagging, and use of satellite pictures and drones for sand mining to ensure that only legal mining took place.

"The officials should also take immediate steps for using rock sand for the ongoing developmental works taken up by various departments," he said. "The TSIMDC officials should examine if they can form rock sand clusters in the places under its purview. This sand can be used in the construction activities of the irrigation and roads & buildings departments."

The minister expressed satisfaction at the income from sand mining. He said that the mines department had achieved 110% of its targeted income by getting Rs 3,500 crores by February as against a target of Rs 3,166 crores.

He also said that the Bayyaram steel plant would be started soon, and that he would visit Delhi to meet the Union mining minister for the purpose.