Khammam: The soil unearthed in the Mission Kakatiya programme has become a major income source to contractors and middlemen. Though the government directed to give soil to farmers free of cost, the contractors are taking money from people. The second phase of Mission Kakatiya has been in progress and soil digging is being taken up in about 700 tanks at present. About 10,000 cubic metres are being unearthed daily from these tanks. Many of the farmers are showing interest in placing this soil in the fields because it has good nitrogen value. Contractors and middlemen are trying to cash in on the situation by selling it Rs 250 per tractor of soil. The incidents are reported in Aswaraopet, Sattu-palli, Chandrugonda, Errupalem and Kham-mam rural mandals.
There is lot of demand for this soil in urban areas and the people are getting to fill up the low-lying areas in the house premises. The contractors of Mission Kakatiya are collecting Rs 400 per tractor from them. In many places, the contractors are refusing to give the soil, and selling the same to middlemen. Some of the farmers have raised the issue in the grievance meeting being conducted by the collector on every Monday. The irregularities were brought to the notice of officials of irrigation department.
