Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 3: Fresh guidelines have been issued for the extraction of red stone, and permission to mine will be granted strictly in line with these updated norms, district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced on Thursday.
Addressing reporters in Mangaluru, the minister said, “The new guidelines regarding red stone are already in place. The District Commissioner will issue final directives after Dasara, and extraction will only be permitted as per the prescribed framework.”
He also clarified the status of river sand mining, stating that tenders have been floated for non-CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) sand, allowing extraction through a transparent process. However, the issue of sand from CRZ areas remains dependent on a decision from the central government.
Potholes on priority: Delays due to rain
Commenting on the deteriorating condition of roads in the district, Gundu Rao said the government is fully aware of the problem and assured that measures to repair potholes will be initiated soon.
“The matter is under the government’s notice. Ongoing rains have caused some delay in the process. Funds for rain-related damages have already been released through the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), and the Revenue Department,” he noted.
He further revealed that Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, and Kodagu districts have received a higher allocation of relief funds. “Once the quantum of funds received by the district is assessed, instructions will be issued to promptly commence repair works,” he added.
D K Shivakumar as CM in November? 'Not true,' says minister
Responding to a recent remark by former MP L R Shivarame Gowda, who claimed D K Shivakumar would become chief minister in November, Gundu Rao rubbished the statement.
“Some individuals make such comments just to stay in the limelight,” he said. “Let them focus on organisational work for the party. The final decision lies with the party high command, and there's no need for unnecessary confusion,” he added.
Dharmasthala case: No govt interference, SIT has full freedom
On the sensitive Dharmasthala case, the minister asserted that the state government is not intervening and the investigation is entirely in the hands of the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
“The government cannot order arrests in such cases. The SIT will act based on evidence and decide the necessary course of action. If there is a conspiracy, it will be exposed through investigation,” he explained.
“There is no political interference, and the government has not issued any directions in this matter. The SIT has been given complete independence to carry out its work,” Gundu Rao stressed.