Pic: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 25: Karnataka assembly speaker U T Khader has directed the Dakshina Kannada district administration to hold a coordination meeting under the leadership of the deputy commissioner to resolve the severe sand shortage in the district and ensure that sand is made available to the public at lower prices.

Speaking at a press conference in Mangaluru, Khader recalled that during his tenure as a minister, the government had introduced the Sand Bazaar mobile app, which facilitated the sale of sand at fixed rates within a stipulated time. However, he stated that the initiative was discontinued after a change in government and emphasized the need to reintroduce the Sand Bazaar app to streamline the distribution process.

Addressing concerns about the lack of coordination between departments regarding sand distribution, Khader asserted that officials are appointed to solve public grievances, not to voice their own. He urged the district administration to restore coordination between the mines and geology department and the police department to prioritize addressing the sand crisis.

CRZ sand mining order needed

Khader further questioned why the BJP-led central government has not issued an order to remove sand deposits in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas. Recalling the tenure of former Union minister Oscar Fernandes, he said that during a severe sand shortage at the time, an order was passed within a day to clear sand deposits in CRZ areas, ensuring the availability of sand to the public.

Budget expectations for Dakshina Kannada

Speaking about the upcoming state budget, Khader expressed hopes that several key demands for Dakshina Kannada would be addressed. He mentioned the need for a skill development center in the district, an OPD center at the district Wenlock Hospital, and a government medical college. However, he noted that since nine other districts in Karnataka lack well-equipped government and private hospitals, priority is generally given to them. Despite this, he reiterated that the demand for a government medical college in Dakshina Kannada should also be fulfilled.