From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 12: Worried over the sharp rise in prices of sand, an essential ingredient in construction activities, the State Government has decided to hold a meeting with MLAs to check the rising prices and put an end to the corruption in the transportation of sand.

Karnataka’s Public Works C M Udasi would be holding a meeting with floor leaders of both Houses and MLAs while District in-charge ministers would hold meeting in their respective districts to check rise in the prices of sand, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda told the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

The Chief Minister said the State Government would be formulating a sand policy shortly to regulate extraction and transportation of sand.

A legislative bill in this regard would be tabled in the House, he said.

Congress Opposition leader Siddaramaiah, JD(S) floor leader H D Revanna, H S Shankaralinge Gowda (BJP) and other members cutting across political parties raised the issue during the zero hour and demanded immediate steps to check rise in prices of sand.

Sand prices had touched a record Rs 60,000 per truckload, Siddaramaiah said urging the State Government to immediately intervene to check the spiraling prices of sand which had severely affected the construction business.

Shankarlinge Gowda rushed to well of the House demanding the State Government to take immediate action to check rising prices of sand.

The BJP member even criticised Siddaramaiah and Revanna for not safeguarding the interest of the poor families and workers involved in construction of houses and sand mining.

The poor families, who have taken up house construction works, have been facing severe difficulties following rise in the prices of sand, Shankaralinge Gowda said.

Opposition members alleged that officials have been seeking bribe for transportation of sand from river banks to construction places.