Top Officials Suspended For Illegal Sand Mining

Telangana Mines & Geology Minister K T Rama Rao suspended the Assistant Director Krishna Prathap and the Royalty Inspector Ravikumar of the mining department working in the Mahabubnagar district for illegally mining over 30 times the permitted quantity on a private land.

While monitoring sand mining in Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad and Karimnagar, the authorities in charge found that 60,000 cubic metres of sand was mined from the Gudibanda area as opposed to the permitted 1,950 cubic metres. Reacting to this, KTR suspended the two officials immediately, and directed the cancellation of the sand reach auctions and the taking of legal action against the contractor.

Soon after this, Rao asked for a field inspection to detect any more irregularities and take stern action against those involved in them. Warning of severe consequences for violators under the law, he said that mines were among the most important resources of the nation, and would be protected from corrupt elements.

Telangana State Mining Development Corporation Managing Director Ilambarty, Director of Mines Department Sushil Kumar and other officials were present in the review meeting.