TFP Bureau, Raipur; May 28, 2024: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee has issued a statement accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of fostering a surge in sand prices, which have reportedly tripled within a span of two months.
According to senior Congress spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur, the BJP government’s alleged patronage has led to a drastic escalation in sand prices, soaring from Rs 8,000 to 9,000 two months ago to an exorbitant Rs 24,000 to 25,000 per truckload under the current regime. Thakur claimed that a “sand mafia war” is raging across the state, fueled by the BJP’s purported protection of sand mines.
Thakur further criticized the BJP government for failing to curb corruption and commission practices in the sand mining sector, resulting in loading charges skyrocketing from a maximum of Rs 450 during the previous Congress administration to as high as Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000, and Rs 5,000. He questioned the government’s control over these exploitative practices, suggesting a lack of oversight or undisclosed protection.
The senior spokesperson highlighted the brazenness of illegal mining activities under BJP leadership, citing instances of mining officials and employees being openly assaulted by the mining mafia. He recounted incidents where Mineral Department employees were allegedly attacked and intimidated, with machinery being tampered with and official records torn.
Thakur concluded by asserting that the protection of BJP leaders is enabling illegal mining mafias to operate with impunity, calling for urgent action to address the situation.
