Red sanders smuggling rampant during TDP term: YSRCP

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has accused the coalition government of failing to curb red sanders smuggling, alleging that such activities were rampant during the Telugu Desam Party’s (TDP) tenure, unlike during YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rule.
Addressing the media, YSRCP official spokesperson Putta Sivasankar Reddy stated that under the current government, there are no check-posts, raids, or actions against smugglers. In contrast, during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s term, stringent measures were in place, including the invocation of the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against violators.
Reddy highlighted that during the tenure of former Forest Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, 24 forest rangers were identified and equipped with adequate resources to ensure effective monitoring. The seized red sanders were auctioned, generating significant revenue for the State, he added.
In a scathing remark, Reddy alleged that under Chandrababu Naidu’s leadership, smugglers operated under the guise of TDP workers and transported red sanders using Heritage vehicles. He further claimed that smuggled logs were found in Naidu’s native village, and a TDP leader from Kurnool profited heavily from the illegal trade. According to Reddy, the leader even produced a film with the proceeds and married the film’s heroine, who later became his accomplice.
Reddy accused the coalition government of using media stories to divert public attention from its shortcomings and demanded that Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan clarify the steps taken to curb red sanders smuggling.
“Data shows that red sanders smuggling was rampant during the TDP regime and was effectively contained under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s leadership,” he concluded.