BRS slams Congress over rampant sand mining in Godavari basin

BRS leaders accused the Congress government of ignoring rampant illegal sand mining in the Godavari basin. They alleged misuse of welfare schemes, shortage of funds for gram panchayats, and delay in local body polls, demanding urgent action and allocations for village infrastructure.

Hyderabad: Accusing the Congress government of turning a blind eye to unchecked sand mining across the state, BRS leaders Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy along with BRSV unit president Gellu Srinivas Yadav decried the alleged misuse of welfare schemes and the government’s indifference to rural distress.

Addressing a news conference at Telangana Bhavan, Venkata Ramana Reddy claimed that illegal sand extraction is occurring “rampantly and unabated” throughout the state, with transporters exploiting the Indiramma housing scheme as a cover to ferry sand illicitly.

---

“The entire Godavari belt is witnessing sand loot with the support of Congress leaders,” Reddy asserted, warning that continued plunder would inevitably turn the fertile areas into barren patches. He revealed that BRS activists had staged a dharna in Tekumatla mandal of Bhupalpally constituency to protest the issue, but received no response from the government machinery. Reddy questioned the very existence of governance in the state, asking, “Is there a government in Telangana at all?” He alleged that while BRS workers protest against the sand mafia in the public interest, the police are obstructing them.

Reddy highlighted the acute shortage of funds in gram panchayats, which has left villages in darkness. Many villages have no street lights. He demanded allocations of Rs 5 lakh for large panchayats and Rs 3 lakh for smaller ones to improve basic facilities, especially ahead of festivals like Saddula Bathukamma and Dasara, when crowds flock to villages. “Even for the convenience of people visiting hometowns, the government must upgrade village amenities,” he said, directly appealing to Minister Seethakka to respond urgently. Reddy further criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for delaying local body elections out of fear of defeat.