Vijayawada: AP deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan made a proposal to implement a single-window system for the sale and export of red sanders, aiming to streamline processes and maximise revenue through international e-auctions.
During his visit to New Delhi on Wednesday, Pawan met Union minister for forest and environment Bhupendra Yadav to discuss the proposal and other key issues related to red sanders management.
Highlighting the unique significance of red sanders, Pawan Kalyan emphasised the need for centralised policies to enhance its protection, prevent smuggling, and improve auction outcomes.
He pointed out that the Andhra Pradesh forest department could serve as the custodian of the proposed single-window system, handling grading, auctioning, and export operations. This approach, he stated, would generate higher revenue and ensure better regulation.
Pawan Kalyan referred to recommendations made by the Botanical Survey of India, suggesting that all red sanders sales and exports, irrespective of where the logs are seized, should be routed through Andhra Pradesh.
He proposed amending central regulations to mandate that red sanders confiscated in any state must be transferred to Andhra Pradesh for auction and export, under the state’s custodianship but supervised by central authorities.
“Red sanders is a rare and valuable natural resource primarily grown in Andhra Pradesh. A unified system under the forest department will ensure transparency, increase revenues through e-auctions, and curb illegal activities. States seizing red sandalwood should not conduct independent sales but follow the centralised process,” Pawan explained.
Pawan Kalyan also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in parliament on Wednesday. Pawan said that he requested Modi to release funds to take up a drinking water scheme under the Jal Jeevan sheme. Pawan also requested Modi to extend the timeline of existing protected drinking water works taken up under the mission. He said that the previous govt spent only Rs 2,000 crore on Jal Jeevan mission while the Union govt sanctioned Rs 23,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh under the scheme.
