Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 22: Civil contractors, civil engineers and builders in the city held a protest in front of the DC's office here Monday March 22 against the district administration for bringing sand mining and supply to a halt for the past two months. The protest was led by Civil Contractors' Association.

The protestors took out a rally from Nehru Maidan to the DC's office where the protest meet was held.

Addressing the gathering, former president of Civil Engineers' Association Vijay Vishnu Mayya said, "By banning sand supply in the district, the district administration and the elected representatives are filling their pockets at our cost. It is condemnable that sand mining that has been happening from so long in the district has totally stopped from the past two months.

"If the district administration does not allow sand mining in the coming days, we will intensify our stir and protest in front of the houses of elected representatives," he warned.

Association president Purushotham Kottary said, "Sand mining and sale of sand have been banned on the excuse that licences have not been renewed. Due to this, all works on buildings in the district have come to a halt due to non-availability of sand. Instead of being concerned about the welfare of the people, officials are busy catering to the whims of some ministers. Even the labourers have been badly affected as they have become unemployed.

"The mines and geology department had assured that the ban would be revoked by February 20, but it has not happened. The DC had said auction of sand blocks would be held on February 29 and it was also reported that permission for mining in the CRZ would be given after obtaining NOC, but that also has not happened. The ban on sand mining has resulted in increase in illegal sand mining and illegal transport of sand," he said.

Sudesh Kumar of Canara Builders said that except for MLA J R Lobo, no elected representative had shown any concern towards the plight of contractors.

A memorandum was submitted to the DC on the occasion.

Builders like CREDAI president D B Mehta, Siraj Ahmed, Pushparaj Jain, Civil Contractors' Association vice-president Dinaker Suvarna, secretary Devanand and many others were present.