TNN
Bangalore, Nov 17: The Lok Ayukta sternly warned the enforcement machinery to crack down on illegal sand mining. "Filtered sand is bad for construction because it corrodes steel and can bring down the building. Scores of offenders across Bangalore are illegally using high-pressure jets of water to filter out the fine earth and use the gritty residue as sand and sell it. The mines and geology, revenue and police departments are looking the other way,’’ said Lok Ayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde.
He had alerted his officials after four children around Bangalore lost their lives over the past few months due to illegal sand mining. The Lok Ayukta and Upa Lok Ayukta had called for a meeting with the mining, revenue and police officers and had been assured that it would stop. Nothing had happened, the officials were "surprised" and blamed each other, Justice Hegde said.
A select team of engineers posed as sand merchants and collected video footage of illegal activity. At some places, the craters left by miners were nearly 27 ft deep and over 30 ft wide. Some are filled with slush and and one can easily sink in them. The Lok Ayukta ordered an investigation into this on Thursday.
Justice Hegde said, "I have written to the principal secretary mines and geology. There isn’t enough genuine sand supply and there is massive demand due to the construction boom. If they can’t ensure supply of pure sand, they must close down the construction industry.’’
Notices for negligence: Bangalore Rural DC (in-charge) M A Sadiq said he had instructed officials to arrest anybody found indulging in sand filtration. On Friday itself, 19 village accountants have been issued showcause notices asking why they had not checked the menace. A task force will be set up to conduct regular raids on these sites, he added.
Govt must decide on suo motu powers: The Lok Ayukta said it is for the government to decide on suo motu powers. He said the powers granted by the H D Kumaraswamy government turned out to be a farce because governor Rameshwar Thakur did not give sanction on time and the government had collapsed.