Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Apr 14: On Monday April 13, building contractors and local sand dealers staged protest against transportation of sand to districts located in the plains from the coast, by blocking movement of trucks that were loaded with sand meant for other districts. They claimed that this has been going on since the last 15 days. A long line of trucks was formed at Ashwini Circle in the town as a result.

The protesters alleged that the department of mines and geology had framed different rules relating to sand transportation to benefit a chosen few through duality. They said locals are being overlooked while those coming from outside are given a free hand.'The department collects exorbitant licence fee from local sand dealers, whereas there is a flow of hundreds of trucks every day taking sand from the coast to far off districts like Mysuru and Bengaluru. About 200 loads of sand are being taken out every day. While local rates of Rs 4,000 per load, sand is being lifted from Adyar near Mangaluru at the rate of Rs 10,000 per load,' they said.

The grievance of local dealers is that the department had jacked up licence fee per truck load from Rs 600 to Rs 3,000 all of a sudden, and that since the last ten days, issuance of licence has been stopped for locals. 'Sand dealers from outside are able to pay Rs 10,000 for sand and Rs 3,000 licence fee, which they take to their home districts and sell for Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 per load. We do not get local market for such high rate,' they rued.

Police circle inspector, B K Manjaiah, who came to the spot, said that the dealers have been given permission to hold protest, but not to block movement of trucks. He asked them to file complaint with assistant commissioner if they have any grievances. He said that these trucks were legally transporting sand, and the police will intervene only if there is overloading.

The locals said that a racket is involved with transportation of sand to Bengaluru and that corrupt people are involved with the plan that deprives the locals of sand. The protesters then dispersed after asking the assistant commissioner to take steps to see that local dealers get sand at reasonable price range.