AP CM moots red sanders corporation

Vijayawada: The State government is getting ready to float a corporation to market the red sanders grown in the Seshachalam forest, said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, Chandrababu Naidu said that the government is now preparing the proposals to stop smuggling of red sanders and streamline its marketing.

He said that the government would soon create a special corporation to market the red sanders across the world and further said that the government would also take the help of a private agency to find market and supply the red sanders to the global buyers including China.

Naidu emphasised the need to protect red sanders and reiterated that the government would even make changes to the existing laws to take stern action against smugglers. The government would confiscate the properties of those who were caught in smuggling and would even go to the extent of confiscating their property even if it is outside the State, including foreign countries.

He further said that the government would promote red sanders plantation in the Seshachalam forest and ensure that the product helps in strengthening the State’s economy.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister held a review meeting with the officials on controlling red sanders smuggling and directed the officials to use vehicle scanners and e-surveillance to curb smuggling. Naidu had asked the officials to geo-tag all the trees and also use drones to prevent smuggling.