Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Apr 7: Former MP, Jayaprakash Hegde, said that the government's faulty policy is directly responsible for the aggravation of sand problem in coastal districts. "If a uniform sand policy was implemented all across the state, these problems would not have arisen. The government should have thought of and found effective remedy for sand problem in advance," he opined.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP office here on Friday April 7, Hegde blamed the government for not having clarity in its stand. He pointed out that the sand meant to be delivered to PWD yard goes somewhere else, and felt that it is the duty of the local level officials to control this wrongdoing. Accusing the concerned of failing to do their duty, he called for a detailed investigation into the issue and to take steps against whoever is found guilty of violations.

He upheld the action taken by the deputy commissioner of the district in conducting surprise raids and felt that such officers should be supported. "It is wrong to say that the raids should have been conducted after giving advance information to the police. She would have preferred direct action because of the apprehension of the news getting leaked. There should be a comprehensive investigation into who are involved with this case. We should set side caste,religion, and political affiliations, get information about who is controlling the sand mafia from the people who have already been arrested, and take suitable legal action against them. We should act against those who are behind this menace, and crush these activities without regard to how much powerful they are," he stressed.

Hegde pointed out that the government has lost heavily in the form of royalty that would have got deposited into its coffers because of illegal sand business, duly noting that this money now goes to the middlemen. "Construction workers are facing problem because of non-availability of sand. Sand is being illegally extracted and sold at exorbitant prices. The local officials should have regulated this since the early stages. At least now the government should take a decision," he demanded.

He noted that even the commoners have faced problems because of sand mafia. He questioned the silence of officials in spite of incidents like motor bikes following sand trucks and sand transportation happening in front of police stations.

When his attention was drawn towards the rumours about the deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner getting transferred, he stated that they should not be transferred. "We need to extend moral support to them. We have to appreciate the functioning style of such an honest and bold officers. Our deputy commissioner has taken a bold step towards regulating sand mafia and such other businesses. There is no question of caste, religion or political connections. They should not be transferred at any cost," he urged.

BJP general secretary, Bhaskar Billava, Shankar Ankadakatte, president of backward classes morcha, Rajesh Kaveri,B Kishore Kumar, Mahesh Poojary and municipal councillor, Raghavendra Devadiga were present at the press conference.