Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Nov 22: Udupi district in-charge minister, Dr Jayamala promised to take a delegation of ministers to Goa in an attempt to get the blanket ban placed on inflow of fish from Karnataka into the state, lifted if the Goan government fails to retract its steps immediately. Noting that Goa government has stopped accepting fish import from Karnataka on the suspicion about use of chemical preservative, Formalin, she said that every effort would be made to pressurize that state to withdraw the ban.

Speaking to media persons, she added that the Goan government's action appears to fit the Kannada adage which reminds people suffering from cold that slicing off their nose does not solve the problem. "Whoever is found guilty of committing the offences alleged, can be punished as per law. It would be wrong to extend the ban to everyone sending fish to Goa. We have already spoken on the issue to ministers, Venkatarao Nadagouda and U T Khader. Such bans adversely affect everyone connected with fishing activity," she observed.

On the issue of sand shortage, she said that the state government cannot issue ordinance to change rules governing sand extraction in coastal regulatory zones. "The central government has to change the policies governing sand. Some leaders who are protesting here against sand shortage have their own government at the centre. They can try to bring pressure on the government to change its policies. On behalf of the state government, we have brought pressure on the central government. There is no politics as far as sand is involved. We want our district to be developed," she explained.

The deputy commissioner, providing additional information about sand shortage, said that 30 traditional sand blocks have been identified in the district. She said that letter has been written seeking to reduce the limit pertaining to ecologically sensitive areas which are located in river beds in Kundapur and Byndoor taluks. "We are yet to get any response from the central government on this letter. If the restriction continues, we will not be able to identify any sand block in Kundapur taluk," she stated.