Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 23: Referring to illegal sand extraction going on in River Swarna, former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, expressed his strong suspicion that those who carried on malicious campaign against him relating to sand business in the past by providing false information to people and projected him as a villain in the eyes of the people themselves might be involved with sand scam. He demanded an impartial probe into the scam to bring out the truth.

Madhwaraj was speaking taking part in a direct telecast programme organized by Daijiworld.

Pramod Madhwaraj

Recently, Lokayukta police had raided illegal sand extraction business being carried out in River Swarna in the name of dredging. During this raid, a few trucks and backhoe were confiscated by the officials. Moreover, the department of mines and geology had registered private complaint against the contractor and furnished full details to the court.

Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, was the first to raise his voice against this business. Thereafter, senior Congress leader and leader of the opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah, had demanded for Lokayukta probe through a tweet.

On Friday, a direct telecast of the programme on 'sand theft' was carried out about sand extraction that is going on in spite of lockdown restrictions. Even people have complained about illegal sand trade going on at many places.

When contacted during the programme, Pramod recalled that there was shortage of sand when he was the minister and the National Green Tribunal had stalled sand extraction. He revealed that after Priyanka Mary Francis became the deputy commissioner, he had fought to get the stay vacated and to ensure that sand extracted in the district is used here.

"During the previous assembly election, this issue was used as a weapon against me and I became a victim of false propaganda. Those who accused me of running Malaysian sand business, I strongly suspect, are involved with this business now,” he said.

He also said that during summer, water had got pooled here and there near Baje dam and the water so stored was pumped into the dam at exorbitant cost. "It is very difficult for workers to undertake dredging there. Therefore, I had sent a proposal to the department of environment in Bengaluru seeking permission for mechanical dredging there. The permission came through after I lost power. I strongly feel that people's representatives, officials and politicians who sullied my image on this issue, are themselves looting sand from here," he said, refusing to name the concerned.

Madhwaraj said that the officials are busy handling COVID-19 issue and no one is watching the sand business that is flourishing in the district. He said he wants his suspicion to be cleared through impartial investigation through one of the potent investigation agencies as the government is losing the royalty it is genuinely entitled to get. He urged the district administration not to allow looting of sand and urged it to conduct raids on sand storage spots. He also asked locals and others to help to expose those involved in this business by coming up with information they have about such activities.