Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 5: A non-governmental organization, Rashtreeya Parisara Samrakshana Okkoota, has filed a complaint with the Lokayukta against deputy commissioner (DC) of Dakshina Kannada district, K G Jagadeesha. The Okkoota has claimed that the DC's inaction in considering public interest litigation against unbridled illegal sand mining in the district has caused loss of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.
Addressing a press conference in the city on Tuesday April 4, convener of the Okkoota, Shashidhar Shetty, said that licences had been issued to 432 persons to conduct sand extraction from 19 sand bars within coastal regulatory zone in the district. He said that sand mining has been allowed in the district in violation of rules. "After a complaint was filed against illegal sand mining within CRZ limits, the Chennai Green Bench had ordered the district administration and DC of Udupi district to stop sand mining. A copy of this order was handed over to the DC here, asking him to stop illegal sand mining in Dakshina Kannada district in violation of rules," he explained.
Shetty said that the DC had overlooked the above plea and failed to stop illegal sand mining, adding that when confronted, the DC chose to reply in a negligent manner. "Because of this attitude, we have filed a complaint with Lokaykukta. The DC is directly responsible for not taking steps against illegal sand mining in the district. We have requested to investigate the complaint, take suitable legal measures, and ensure that the order of the Green Bench at Chennai is followed in toto in Dakshina Kannada too," he stated. He added that 238 documents have been furnished to the Lokayukta to prove the allegation.
He said that as per current rules, there is provision only to remove sand dunes whenever there is complaint of them blocking movement of boats, adding that transportation of sand is not permitted. He further stated that efforts are now being made to file fake complaints in this regard. Shetty also added that three attacks, and a murder attempt had taken place to crush voices of dissent on sand mining issue, and that complaints have been filed at three police stations about these attempts. He praised Udupi DC, Priyanka Mary Francis, and subdivisional officer, Shilpa Nag, for bravely facing the sand mafia and condemned those who launched murder attempt against them.
Sripati Acharya, Anita S Bhandarkar, Narayan Bangera and Shashidhar Shetty of the organization were present at the press conference.