Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 9: With the ban on red stone and sand extraction continuing in Dakshina Kannada district for the past few months, the livelihood of thousands of labourers has been severely impacted, said BJP district president Satish Kumpala in a press conference held on Wednesday.

He expressed concern over the worsening condition of families dependent on the sand and stone industry. “Several lives that relied on this industry have been devastated. Many labourers are now unable to pay their children's school and college fees. Their lives have lost direction,” he said.

Kumpala also reminded that during the Congress-led government’s tenure in Karnataka, promises were made to formulate a proper sand policy for the district. “However, instead of fulfilling that promise, the government has completely shut down sand and red stone operations, pushing people to the brink,” he alleged.

While extending support to the government’s actions against illegal mining, he emphasized that a legal and systematic arrangement must be put in place to ensure people's livelihoods are protected. “We welcome the action taken against illegal activities. But the government must ensure a legal and fair system is in place for the people,” he said.

He also demanded that a royalty model similar to neighbouring Kerala be implemented in Karnataka. “The royalty imposed here is almost double compared to Kerala. The current system is unreasonable,” he added.

Kumpala announced that the BJP will hold state-wide protests on July 14 against the state government's policies on sand and red stone extraction. The protests will be held across all assembly constituencies in the district, in solidarity with the affected labourers.