Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 24: “The district administration should permit sand extraction before August 28 otherwise the members of Sand Horata committee will hold a massive protest (dharna) on the same day,” warned former MLA Raghupati Bhat in a press meet here on Wednesday, August 23.
“We have already submitted an appeal to deputy commissioner regarding sanction permit to extract sand. District in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj is ruling district administration and making DC as a victim of this issue. He is using sand issue for political gain,” he alleged.
“The district administration halted extraction of sand from 45 out of 170 traditional sand mining blocks with an order from state High court. This is a suspicious development. Why have they imposed caveat on just 45 blocks? The entire progress is credulous and there is a strong hand of Congress leaders and district in-charge minister behind this,” he said.
“District in-charge minister is involved in M-sand mafia through propaganda. If he has real concern for sand-starved district, why is he delaying the permission for sand extraction? The previous DC had given the permission but the current DC has no stance at all,” he further alleged.
“It is not the minister and builders who are facing sand crisis but the Ashraya scheme beneficiaries. Yet, they have faith on district administration. NOC for sand extraction was granted on August 5 but even after 15 days, no action has been taken by the present DC.”
“Earlier sand extraction was done by paying royalty, but currently it is not followed. It clearly shows that the minister has no intention to sort out problem of sand crisis in the district.”
“The district administration should allow all 170 traditional sand blocks to extract sand by keeping the interests of general public in mind. This step needs to be taken at the earliest or the district BJP members will hold a day-long dharna by uniting all the concerned people. District administration is responsible for sand crisis in the district,” he said.
Yashal Suvarna, Surendra Nayak and others were present.