Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Jun 30: "Nearly 45 crushers are functioning in the district as per RTI. None have Form C. The district in-charge Maheshwar Rao who had spoken of forming a team to prevent illegal sand mining has said nothing about illegal crushers. No legal action is taken against units which crush stones," Dalit Sangharsha Samithi state convener Shekhar Havanje said.

He warned of forming a committee with 25 people and filing a complaint in the High Court against the district task force committee president and deputy commissioner of Udupi on charges of dereliction of duty.

Speaking at a press conference held in Udupi Press Club on Tuesday, June 30 Havanje said that a large number of crushers are functioning in Karkala and Brahmavara. “The government is deprived of royalty worth several crores of rupees. The district task force committee has been recently holding secret meetings and trying to hide violations,” he alleged.

“The district administration who is completely indifferent towards the crusher business that is in progress openly in the district has raised several suspicions. Therefore, detailed investigations should be conducted in this respect through the court,” said Havanje.

District convener Vishwanath Belampalli, Rajesh Kelarkalabettu and Ramesh Martias and others were present.