Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, July 15: BJP district president Satish Kumpala has accused deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar of rendering Mangaluru “ineffective” not just after 7 pm—as he had once remarked—but from the morning itself, by choking the supply of key construction materials like laterite stones and sand.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a private event near Kolya, close to Thokkottu, Kumpala lashed out at the Congress-led state government, accusing it of completely neglecting Dakshina Kannada district.
He said, “By curbing the livelihoods and jobs of daily wage workers, this government is not only hurting emotions but also depriving families of their daily food. DK Shivakumar had once claimed in Bengaluru that Mangaluru is of no use after 7 pm. But today, because of this government’s policies, it is ineffective right from the morning.”
Highlighting the construction crisis in the district, he said, “Due to the shortage of laterite stones, work at daivastanas, temples, and residential construction sites has come to a standstill. In Kerala, royalty on one ton of stones is Rs 32, while in Karnataka, it is as high as Rs 282. How can legal quarry operators pay such steep royalties while illegal quarries continue unabated?”
He added that although licenses were to be issued within 21 days, even after 7–8 months, permissions have not been granted. “This has pushed the entire labour class onto the streets. Their daily meals are at stake. The mines and geology department has refused permission unless royalties are paid, which is unfair. First, let them stop illegal quarrying. It is those close to Congress leaders who are part of these illegal operations, and the departments are unwilling to act against them while focusing only on collecting royalties. This is unacceptable.”
Kumpala claimed that under the previous BJP government, such a situation never arose. “The state government has assured a resolution within a week. If the issues are not addressed, another mass protest will become inevitable, similar to the one held today across the district.”
Criticising the government’s handling of recent unrest, he said, “The state failed to control the riots. Action should have been taken immediately to address the grievances. Instead, they waited until everything was over to hold peace meetings and cover up their failures. Is this the right approach?” he questioned.