The Then Chennai Lorry Urimaiyalargal Nala Sangam has urged the State government to directly sell sand and do away with stock yards as they are being used to store sand from illegal quarries.
Addressing a press meet here on Thursday, Sangam office-bearers, who showed sale slips issued by quarry licensees, pointed out that they did not provide details of cost or of any taxes collected.
They wanted sand to be sold directly by the government and in a transparent manner. “If they accept demand drafts, it would improve things. Neighbouring States have made payments online. Tamil Nadu too must follow suit,” said V. Sankar, treasurer of the Sangam.
Sangam general secretary M.K. Nagappan alleged that due to the presence of a mafia they were forced to pay ₹8,500 for 3.5 units of sand in place of the government fixed rate of ₹1,750. Truck owners are forced to pass on this additional cost to the consumers due to which construction cost too spirals.
“Our lorries are made to wait for three days inside a parking yard where drivers and cleaners have no access to food or water or toilets. One driver died while waiting for sand two days ago. Waiting time means paying drivers and cleaners halt fees, which is also passed on to customers,” he said.
Sangam president Mylai M. Selvam said that any number of complaints to government officials went unheard and that the association planned to stage a protest. “At least 4,000 trucks line up daily to get sand at each stock yard in the State. The yards are a sham because though quarry licences would have expired these places are used to stock illegally quarried sand from river banks and other places without permission,” he claimed.
