Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jul 26: Members of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) Udupi unit staged a huge protest in front of Clock Tower here on Wednesday, July 26 demanding the fulfillment of various demands of workers. The protest led to massive road block in the city.
District secretary Balakrishna, addressing the protesters said, "Construction workers are suffering due to shortage of sand. As many as 11,20,097 workers are registered in the workers' welfare board. Nearly Rs 5650.71 crore has been collected through cess and registration, but the government has spent only Rs 177 crore in 11 years for the benefit of labourers. Karnataka State Construction Workers' third convention has called for a state-wide protest at DC's office, district in-charge and ministers' offices.
"The workers' welfare board is misusing the funds reserved for workers' welfare. Many issues were discussed in the last convention like providing smartphones to construction workers, KSRTC bus passes etc, but none of them has been fulfilled.
"We need immediate solution for the sand crisis in the district. The beneficiaries of labour welfare board should get all the required amenities. Provident fund scheme with accommodation should be implemented. The labour welfare board should stop wasting money," added Balakrishna.
As part of the protest, CITU members had planned to organize a march from Clock Tower to district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj's office, near taluk panchayat office. But as the protesters reached Diana Circle, police did not give them permission to proceed further. The protestors then sat on dharna at Diana circle, blocking the traffic.
Pramod Madhwaraj clarifies
District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj then came to the venue of the protest and said, "Members of Karnataka Coastal Management Zone Committee came to Udupi on July 25 and discussed issues regarding sand extraction. The committee has given us the green signal to open 28 sand blocks under CRZ. The permits will be issued soon. CRZ sand will not be transported out of the state. When the ban on fishing ends, traditional sand mining will be allowed.
"Locals have the right to extract sand. Conflict has been always happening between sand mining workers, owners and the public. So the villagers filed a case. Permits will be given considering all points in the interest of rural populace, sand workers and the sand mining," he added.
Members of CITU Kundapur division also participated in the protest.