Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Dec 10: Former Udupi MLA Pramod Madhwaraj has condemned Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat for blaming him for the sand shortage in the district.

“CRZ problem is not only affecting Udupi alone, but also affecting Dakshina Kannada and Uttar Kannada. How can he say that it was a mistake during my term that people are now suffering due to sand shortage” he lashed back.

Taking a dig at Bhat, Madhwaraj questioned whether he has kept up to his promises. “Raghupati Bhat himself promised that he will make sand available for Coastal people, once he became a MLA. He will fight for the justice of people. But Bhat has completely failed to stand by his words, even after seven months after becoming MLA,” he said.

Pramod Madhwaraj

“The sand mining was completely stopped by the Union government. Later, with the intervention of Oscar Fernandes, circular was issued to remove sand bars, which acted as hurdles for fishermen boats to move in water. After that, permits have been issued to Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttar Kannada for tradition (manual) sand extraction,” he said.

With regard to Bhat’s statement on Baikady Uday Suvarna who had approached NGT was working in Pramod Madhwaraj’s factory, Madhwaraj said, “Baikady Uday Suvarna approached NGT court on behalf of villagers of Harady for the violating sand extraction rules. Considering his complaint, the National Green Tribunal cancelled all old permits and ordered to issue new licenses. Vishal was the district commissioner at that time. Before pointing at me, he should know that Uday Suvarna complained to the court on behalf of villagers. I was not even aware on this matter. I would like to clear that statement again and I had cleared it earlier as well.”

“I have succeeded to get new permits after meeting with officials Jayachandra and advocate Ashok. When I was MLA, I got 165 permits in 28 blocks. About 6 lac tons have been extracted from the river out of 9 lac tons of sand. I was becoming the target to the sand mafia groups, because I have made strict rules and prevented sand transportation from Udupi district to other districts. During my term, people have got sand at affordable prices,” Madhwaraj claimed.

“I will condemn his words and he should not blame on me. It was failure of Raghupati Bhat. As a representative of people, He should know how to make it happen with his clever and legitimately. It is his duty also. If he brought pressure on the government officials, beyond law and court, it would be difficult to make it happen. As he is a MLA he should understand these facts.

“Uday Suvarna approached SC for the second time, but was not able to bring stay order. We had implemented everything legally and we strictly followed rules. If officials go beyond Law, then Udupi will become the target of NGT,” Madhwaraj pointed out.

“I intend that people of district should get sand and it should not go out of district limits. I also demand that all 165 earlier license holders must get permits again. I am not a fool. I have never objected to sand extraction with any of the officials. I also wish that people should get sand. During my term, the permission was issued on October 11, but today it is December. The reason for delay of getting permits is because of Raghupati Bhat’s lack of awareness,” Madhwaraj blamed.

“Raghupati Bhat lacks knowledge on law and order in spite of being an MLA for third time. Let him get more knowledge on legal matters and then start the work,” he advised.

“I have never seen the face of mining official Niranjan so far. I have written a letter to government to send him back to Udupi. But the government did not. I am not gaining anything from the sand mafia. The people operating sand mafia have not supported me in election and I have not taken money from them. People will get to know in future who the victims of sand mafia are,” he said.

“I demand the relaxation in sand policy as well as lower sand prices, which was there during my term,” he added.

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