Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JS/EP)

Udupi, Sep 19: Zilla panchayat chief executive officer Prasanna H has announced that there is permission to extract sand available in ponds and lakes in various gram panchayat limits in the district as per the new sand policy from October 5 this year.

Speaking in a workshop held at Rajathadri on Monday, September 19 in this connection for panchayat presidents, taluk panchayat executive officers and PDOs. he said, “As much as 49,903 metric tonnes of sand has been identified in 35 sand deposits in Karkala, Hebri, Kaup, Kundapur, and Byndoor taluk panchayat limits. Necessary preparations should be made to extract it from October 5,” he said.

“Gram panchayats should receive royalty and other requisite charges applicable to the department of mining and geology and issue transport permits to the customers. Extraction and transport of sand should be permitted only between 6 AM and 6 PM and necessary precautions should be taken to prevent unauthorized sand mining and transport,” he said.

“Machines should not be used to extract sand. Sand extraction should be allowed only within the permitted quantity and for local construction activities alone,” he said.

Computer training was provided for collection of charges and issue of transport permits.

Zilla panchayat chief project officer Srinivas Rao, mining and geology department senior scientist Sandeep and various gram panchayat presidents, taluk panchayat executives and PDOs were present.