Minister Vivek Venkatswamy Directs Officials to Boost Sand Revenue, Crack Down on Illegal Mining
Minister Conducts Review of TGMDC Operations
Hyderabad, June 6: Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy has directed officials to enhance revenue from sand resources while strengthening surveillance mechanisms to curb illegal sand mining and transportation across Telangana.
The Minister chaired a review meeting with officials of the Telangana State Mineral Development Corporation (TGMDC) at his chamber in the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Saturday.
During the meeting, Dr. Vivek Venkatswamy reviewed key aspects of sand mining operations, including sand availability across the State, revenue generation and growth prospects, operational challenges, and measures required to improve the existing management system.
Emphasising transparency and accountability in all operations, the Minister instructed officials to ensure stringent monitoring of sand transportation. He stressed the need for a robust surveillance system capable of continuously tracking the movement of lorries to prevent illegal extraction and unauthorized transportation of sand.
TGMDC Director Anudeep Durishetty briefed the Minister on various initiatives being undertaken to enhance revenue, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and tackle illegal mining activities. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the department in certain regions.
Officials further apprised the Minister of the ongoing exploration activities for critical and other mineral resources in various districts of the State. Dr. Vivek Venkatswamy directed them to expedite the exploration process and submit comprehensive reports on priority issues requiring immediate attention.
The Minister also reviewed the performance of Sand Bazaars, the department’s surveillance infrastructure, and staffing requirements. He instructed officials to further strengthen enforcement measures and improve operational efficiency to ensure effective management, regulation, and sustainable utilization of Telangana’s mineral resources.
