Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Dajiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS/DV)

Mangaluru, Feb 16: District in-charge minister and minister for forest and ecology, Ramanath Rai on Monday February 16 lashed out at the opposition BJP for 'spreading false allegations to gain votes' in the upcoming zilla panchayat (ZP) and taluk panchayat (TP) elections.

BJP leader and former minister Krishna J Palemar had on Monday February 16 alleged that associates of some Congress ministers from Dakshina Kannaa, particularly of the district in-charge minister, were involved in illegal sand mining in the district, and that chief minister Siddaramaiah's son was also a part of it. He had also claimed that due to inaction of the district administration against the mafia, there was scarcity of sand. Palemar had also alleged that Congress was 'lying' about withdrawing 9,11 forms relating to purchase, conversion and sale of land and had claimed that the problem still persisted with the state government instead implementing form 11b temporarily.

Responding to the allegations, Rai said, "BJP leaders are publicizing false information that ministers' associates are involved in illegal sand mining. Let me inform you that the term 'sand mining' was coined during the tenure of former district in-charge minister Krishna Palemar. We are trying to bring in uniform policy for sand mining.

"We have already handed over the non-CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) blocks to public works department and renewing of licences in non-CRZ blocks is being done by the PWD department. By undertaking these changes we are confident that the sand mafia can be completely controlled. I am neither a builder nor do I own any business. I am against people who are involved in illegal businesses and I will not support them at any cost. After our government came to power, royalty revenue of about Rs 14 crore has been collected through fines and licences issued for sand mining.

On the issue of 9,11 forms, he said, "Forms 9,11 were started by BJP during its tenure. But ever since we came to power, we have made repeated efforts in this regard and now exempted five districts from this rule."

He further added, "I have always said that a person who steals gold can be forgiven to some extent but not the person who steals a tree. As a forest minister, I have ensure that my department takes strict action whenever incidents of illegal wood cutting have come to light. A few exeptions were made under the preview of law only when temples requested for wood.

"BJP leaders talk about law and order problem in the district. But one has to make note of those who create trouble in the name of religion. Machetes were thrown inside the jail premises, and the person who threw it was Kamalaksha Poojary, a former gram panchayat member of the BJP. Congress has undertaken many development works in the past three years so I urge people to vote for Congress in the upcoming ZP and TP election and not to pay heed to false allegaions being spread," Rai said.

Corporator Shashidar Hegde, Vinaya Raj, Youth Congress president Mithun Rai and others were present.