Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/EP)
Udupi, Sep 30: The protests by vehicle owners and drivers transporting building material in the district has reached fifth day. However deputy commissioner (DC) Dr Vidyakumari has clarified that people who have started constructing buildings or undertaken any construction activity, need not worry.
Giving the details of sub-minerals that are available in the district, she said that 32,62,808 metric tonne sub-minerals are being obtained from 127 official construction stone quarry contracts during the year 2023-24. “The demand in the district is estimated to be Rs 20,00,000 metric tonne which is being met,” she said.
The DC further said, “About 65,500 metric tonnes of ordinary sand is required for construction in the district per month. As much as 1,32,215 metric tonne ordinary sand is already available. The ordinary sand will be provided from October from 41 sand blocks that are not being used by the gram panchayats. There are restrictions from the authorities in a notification dated June 15 till October 15 and sand mining is suspended. Therefore, 96,220 metric tonne ordinary sand is available from three sand contacts. As much as 3,44,603 metric tonne sand is available in 19 sand blocks under process from the authorities. A total of 12,01,751 metric tonne sand is available in 38 sand blocks where the tender process is pending and 1,61,360 metric tonne of M sand is available in the district limit.
“There is no scarcity of building materials in the district. The government has made GPS mandatory for all the vehicles supplying sub-minerals from December 2022. If GPS is installed, it is possible to obtain a licence to transport minerals under Integrated Lease Management System. The building materials supplying vehicles are given time till October 7 to install GPS. Therefore, those who construct buildings, need not be anxious,” she said.
“Those who need gravel and M sand can contact the mining and geology department control room No. 0820-2950088 from 10 am till 6 pm. The lorry drivers should withdraw the protests and cooperate,” she requested.
Lorry owners’ association bandh on Oct 3 not permitted – Udupi SP
“The Udupi district bandh called by Udupi district lorry owners on October 3 is illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, there is no scope for any type of bandh or protest in this connection,” clarified Udupi SP Dr Arun K.
In a press statement released by him he stated, “Udupi district lorry owners association and other organizations have called for Udupi bandh on October 3 against various regulations of the government. The Kerala high court had announced that calling for any type of bandh is illegal, against the constitution and against the basic rights of people. The Supreme Court has also declared that the call for bandh is unconstitutional and illegal. The call for bandh by Udupi district lorry owners association and other organizations is illegal, against the Constitution of India and detrimental to the basic rights of the citizens. Therefore, there is no scope for any type of bandh or protests connected to it. It is not possible to permit processions of any kind in Udupi district,” he stated.