Vijayawada: Mines minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy has announced that orders have been placed for 25.42 lakh survey stones to be used for Jagananna Bhu Hakku Bhu Suraksha comprehensive land rights programme being implemented in Andhra Pradesh.
In this regard, the minister met managements of 305 granite cutting and polishing units in AP at the Secretariat in Velagapudi on Saturday. The stones are to be supplied by October 15.
During the first phase, state government had supplied 25.80 lakh survey stones for marking the boundaries. Likewise, 26.15 lakh stones had been provided in the second phase.
Ramachandra Reddy pointed out that placing the orders with granite cutting and polishing units in the state will strengthen these units while also providing employment to people, as envisaged by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Also, he remembered that the state government has provided subsidies for the power charges and brought the slab system to give support to the granite factories. To employ the workers, the state government has given orders to survey stones to the granite factories, he said. As a result, many families who depend on these factories have gotten employment, he added.
The minister disclosed that the state government has spent ₹1,153.20 crore on procuring the stones so far. ₹64.80 crore have been spent on transporting the stones. The price per stone has also been increased from ₹270 to ₹300, he pointed out.
Special chief secretary (Mines and Geology) Gopalakrishna Dwivedi and mines and geology director V.G. Venkata Reddy were present.
