BJP Govt received kickbacks to lift ban on sand export from DK, Udupi - Yeddyurappa

Bangalore, Mar 13 (PTI): Former Chief Minister and Karnataka Janata Paksha President B S Yeddyurappa today alleged that the BJP government has received kickbacks for lifting ban on the export of sand from coastal districts of the state.

"Without receiving kickbacks, the government could not have lifted the ban on sand export from coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi," Yeddyurappa alleged at a press conference here.

He said the government decision came as the price had shot up from Rs 5,000 a truck load to Rs 30,000.

Yeddyurappa claimed he had resisted the pressure of those clamouring for lifting of ban on sand export during his tenure as Chief Minister, but the Jagadish Shettar led government succumbed to pressure tactics.

"The state itself is facing severe shortage of sand. This decision will deeply affect the economic development of the state," he said.

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa welcomed BJP MLC K R Mallikarjunappa and former JDS MLA S Balaraj into KJP. "Many more leaders are keen to join KJP following BJP's defeat in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections," he claimed.