Chandrababu Naidu‘s Government fulfilled it’s another promise. The Government had released the G.O. for Free Sand Policy making Sand readily available for the people.
During the YSR Congress Government, Sand Policy is highly mishandled. Sand has become very costly and Sand Mafia aided by YSR Congress MLAs thrived. Construction is severely affected as a result.
From commoners to the workers depending on the construction industry were put through a lot of hardships. So this Free Sand Policy is a big reform but then, it has become a Propaganda tool for YSR Congress.
Free Sand means there is no revenue from the sale to the Government but there are some other charges. The major component is Excavation charges. Sand should be dug from River Beds. The charges will depend on how difficult the excavation is.
Also, the charges will also depend on who is digging the sand – Private contractors or Government or the Boatsmen society. This is the major component which contributes to the price difference between sand reaches. If the excavation is difficult in some Sand Reaches, Prices will be high there.
And then, there are loading charges, transportation from excavation site to Sale Point, Reach Maintenance Charges, Administrative Charges, other statutory Taxes like GST etc.
And then, there are Transportation charges from the Sale Point to the Beneficiary‘s house. So there will be some charges for sure. But if you remove the Revenue to the Government from the Sand, the Price will be significantly lower.
The End Beneficiaries will definitely understand the significant price drop. But then, YSR Congress is using this as a Propaganda saying that Free Sand is not actually free but is costly than YSR Congress‘s time which is wrong.
They are posting the Banners of Cost details at Sand Reaches and are trying to mislead the people. There are many people who can fall to this Propaganda. The Government should display ‘Now and Then‘ prices for the people to clearly understand the impact of the Free Sand Policy.
TDP ignored many such Propaganda between 2014 and 2019 and finally paid the price. Nara Lokesh should immediately jump in and address the issue.
