Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Sep 16: “We have requested the Udupi district-in-charge minister to immediately order deputy commissioner to do something with regard to sand mining in the district. People are suffering due to non-availability of sand. The chief minister in his recent visit to district had ordered DC to cancel the mathematic survey and conduct the survey through NITK Surathkal. But it’s been 10 days since CM’s visit and no order has been issued to NITK to conduct the survey,” said Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat.
Speaking to reporters after meeting district-in-charge minister Jayamala, Raghupathi Bhat said that from past many months the sand issue stands unresolved. “We have also brought this to the notice of CM and he also responded positively. In Udupi, the DC has ordered the assistant commissioner to conduct survey to identify sand bunds. In other districts this type of survey is not conducted. We have requested the minister to talk to DC and cancel the survey order which must be conducted by AC. If within Wednesday the survey order to NITK is not issued, we non-politically will hold a huge protest on Thursday morning,” he warned.
Speaking about the issue, Vidhan Parishad Opposition leader Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “We have clearly told the minister that construction of 3,500 houses under Basava Vasati Scheme is delayed due to non-availability of sand. Many development works have also stopped due to the same reason. District administration has not taken any action even after CM’s order. If this is not solved we will hold a huge protest.”
In response to her meeting with Raghupathi Bhat and Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Jayamala said, “The issue has been brought to my notice and I will talk with DC about this. There are no legal barriers to allow sand mining. CM has also said to solve the issue internally. There is no rule that assistant commissioner should conduct survey. If the issue is not solved as soon as possible, we will also hold strike.
“There is a need to calculate the total amount of sand required for our district. Our demand can be met by the sand available in our district. Only if there is need of excess sand, we can borrow from neighbouring districts,” she added.
Mattar Rathnakar Hegde and other BJP leaders were present during the meeting.