Chennai: The State government is in the process of finalising tenders for importing sand and the construction material would be available for distribution in Tamil Nadu in about a month or two from now, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami told the Assembly on Monday.
“Sand is an important construction material and the State government has embarked on a massive campaign to encourage the use of M-sand, replacing the naturally available sand,” Mr. Palaniswami said. After taking into consideration all aspects, the government has decided to exercise caution in distributing sand to the people.
“Lorries involved in quarrying sand have been fixed with GPS and vigilance has been stepped up at the yards where the lorries unload the sand for distribution. Apart from the watchful eye of cameras, PWD officials too maintain a strict vigil at the yards,” the CM added.
Key transformation has been brought in the sale of sand. The government has dispensed with the system of collecting cash from those submitting tenders and opted for swiping machines or online transaction to make all financial transactions accountable. Even the booking ought to be carried out online, Mr. Palaniswami emphasised.
During its five-year rule, the DMK had taken action on 18,000 lorries for illegally quarrying sand and collected a fine of '50 crore.
But during the last six years, the AIADMK government had initiated action on 48,000 lorries for illegally quarrying sand and imposed a fine of Rs 120 crore and now illegal sand quarrying has totally been stopped.
Tender process is transparent: CM
Refuting the opposition charge on tenders, Mr. Palaniswami said his government has made the process of issuing tenders transparent and is now engaged in training the officials on e-tenders.
Responding to the issue raised in the Assembly by DMK member Duraimurugan, he said the process of issuing tenders in Tamil Nadu was very much the same as being followed by the rest of the country. “The government insists on pre-qualification certificate while inviting bids, as being followed across the country,” the CM said and remarked, “when you (DMK) invite tenders for mechanism you follow is correct and when we invite bids, you say it’s wrong. What kind of yardstick are you following?”
