Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s home district is lagging behind all other districts, except for Nellore, in sale of sand in the State. The Chittoor district has generated a revenue of Rs.1.29 crore as on January 7.
It is estimated that 7.36 lakh cubic metres of sand is available in Chittoor district. However, only 34,146 cubic metres of sand could be sold. Though the government estimated that 41.16 lakh cubic metre of sand is available in 47 reaches (42 in operation) in Nellore district, the total sale is just 1.25 lakh cubic metres pegging the revenue at Rs.7.89 core. Nellore has recorded the lowest sand sale percentage of 3. In Chittoor it is 5, which is the second lowest in the State. Srikakulamstands third position with 95 percent delivery rate.
While West Godavari, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam achieved 96, 95 and 95 percent of sand delivery, Chittoor and Nellore could achieve only 90 percent.
Incidentally, Chittoor stands fourth position with 22 reaches functioning as against 23 reaches. Vizianagaram follows Nellore, which has the highest number of reaches, with a total of 30 reaches and 24 in operation. East Godavari district has 25 reaches and 22 reaches functioning and West Godavari has 23 reaches and 22 in operation.
Among 13 districts, West Godavari stands first with a revenue of Rs.33.48 crore and East Godavari following it with Rs 24.37 crore. Guntur, Krishna and Srikakulam have achieved a revenue of Rs. 17.03 crore, 15.92 crore and Rs. 13.75 crore respectively. The government has realised Rs.127.61 crore from sale of sand. The government could sell only 19.13 lakh cubic metres of sand as against an estimated quantity of 1.68 crore cubic metres. Sand mining acquired greater importance after the government handed over sale of sand to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to ensure transparency.
