Minister for Mines and Geology P. Sujatha on Tuesday said Chittoor district, which generated an income of Rs. 47 crore through the Mines and Geology Department during 2014-15, had a huge potential for churning ample revenues for the government.
Addressing a review meeting with department officials here, Ms. Sujatha observed that collection of taxes from granite industries in the district had taken a backseat in the last five years. She also directed officials to act tough to realise long-pending dues. “Post-bifurcation, the residual AP is in dire need of revenue. The officials should take steps to auction granite sectors based on the quality of the material, apart from curbing illegal mining,” she said. The Minister also sought steps to streamline check posts. Ms. Sujatha, who also holds the portfolio of Women and Child Welfare, reviewed the progress of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) works in the district, which had witnessed more than 100 maternal deaths in the last two years. She asked officials to provide nutritious food to pregnant and lactating mothers to bring down infant and maternal mortality rates. Minister for Forests Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy, who was also present at the meeting, said the TDP government was committed to the empowerment of women. Collector Siddarth Jain was present.
District officials told to act tough to collect long-pending dues