The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet Sub-Committee on tackling corruption wants the liquor scam that rocked the erstwhile unified State to be re-investigated to see if the previous Congress government let off anybody.
Briefing reporters after a meeting of the sub-committee here on Tuesday, Information and Public Relations Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said the scam would be re-investigated if there was a need. He said the officials have been asked to examine and give report on who were involved in the scam and if anybody was let off.
He asserted that the State government would initiate stern action however high anybody might be if found to be involved in the scam. Nobody would be spared, he added.
Red sanders smugglersin for troubleThe sub-committee has decided to recommend to the government to amend the Forest Act for making smuggling of red sanders a non- bailable offence and increase the fine amount and punishment. While it was three months to one year and Rs. 10,000 fine, the sub-committee wants the period to be enhanced ranging from three to 10 years and fine of Rs.10 lakhs.
He said that as many as 11,034 cases have been booked for red sanders smuggling in the last 10 years, 12,029 tonnes of the wood seized and 15,243 persons arrested. The committee was also in favour of setting up fast track courts to expedite the cases.
Mr. Reddy said the State government took firm measures to curb red sanders smuggling and an amount of Rs.850 crore was fetched to the State exchequer by auctioning 3,600 tonnes.
The sub-committee also decided to recommend to the Cabinet to cancel the allotment of land to VANPIC project and also the sale deed of Lepakshi Knowledge Hub in Anantapur. He said that while 8,844 acres was allotted for the Lepakshi project, 4, 396 acres was pledged with banks and Rs. 890 crore loan was taken. The amount was diverted for real estate, he alleged.
