Former MLA TJ R Sudhakar Babu has strongly criticized Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and TDP coalition leaders for creating a “master plan” to loot state’s mineral resources including sand and said they had systematically planned the new sand mining policy to benefit themselves, bypassing public interest.
Speaking to the media at the party central office, Sudhakar Babu stated that while the public was celebrating the Dussehra festival, TDP leaders were busy making illegal profits from sand and liquor tenders. He questioned why the government had not fulfilled its promise to provide free sand, instead using corrupt tender processes to enrich party leaders. He specifically pointed out the disappearance of half of 80 lakh tonnes of sand, which was stored by the previous YSRCP government, stating that the TDP has sold it in the black market.
Sudhakar Babu raised concerns about the sand tender process, pointing out that while the base price per ton of sand was set between Rs. 90 and Rs. 120, bids were submitted at much lower prices, between Rs. 50 and Rs. 60, in many districts. He said these price differences were clear signs of corruption. He said TDP leaders of submitting low bids and using intimidation and violence to take control of the sand tenders.
In East Godavari district, tenders for 17 sand reaches were finalized within just 48 hours, and only TDP leaders were able to submit bids. In Kurnool, he said that a bid was approved without any official notification. Sudhakar Babu also accused leaders from TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena of hoarding sand stocks and selling them illegally on the black market, avoiding the official booking system in several districts like YSR, Palnadu, and others.
He demanded the immediate cancellation of all sand tenders and urged the government to provide sand for free as promised. He warned that if the tenders were not cancelled, there would be direct protests against the government’s policies.
