Sand lorry owners' seek review of TN Govt's decision on sand quarry

Chennai, May 23 (UNI) The Confederation of Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners Association has urged the state government to reconsider its decision to privatise sand quarrying in the State.

Talking to reporters here yesterday, Association President S Yuvaraj said privatising sand quarry business would lead to increase in prices of sand and put the public to a lot of hardship.

''The price of one unit of sand load, which is being sold at Rs 600 now, will go up to Rs 3,000 per load,'' he said.

''There are some irregularities now despite the government having control over it. If it is privatised, such malpractices will increase with the government losing control over it.

''When we face any problem, there is a possibility of raising it directly with the government now and seek redressal. But if it goes back to private parties again, the sand lorry owners will be at the receiving end and their problem will be compounded,'' he added.

He said the State government should invite the association representatives for the all-party meeting convened on May 26 to take a policy decision on the issue.

''When the government can invite farmers organisations during meeting on the vexatious Cauvery river water dispute, they should also call our representatives while discussing the sand quarrying issue,'' he said.

UNI GV SV AS1050