Pics: Jeevan D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Sep 13: Leaders representing various organizations, builders, as well as auto unions came together at Sri Narayanaguru temple at Bannanje here on Monday September 12 to discuss acute shortage of sand in the district and the problems faced because of it.
M G Nagendra, general secretary, Building Construction, tools, Lorry owners and drivers' union said, 'there are five MLAs in addition to two MLCs and a MP in the district, but no one has worked to address the issue of sand shortage so far."
The National Green tribunal is expected to pass an order on September 12 on the issue of sand mining, he added.
He noted that different rates have been fixed for sand in the twin-districts. While a unit of sand costs Rs 700 in Daksjhina Kannada, the same has been fixed at Rs 1,200 in this district, he pointed out.
Uday Suvarna from Baikady had secured a stay order on illegal sand mining in an area which comes under Haradi grama panchayat. This stay order has been adversely affecting local builders, who are unable to take up any construction work and labourers have been sitting idle without any work.
Ravi Shetty, district president, Karnataka Karmika Vedike's district unit here, said, 'the number of migrant labour here has been dwindling every day. The fight against stay order on sand should be carried out and a solution should be found early, he felt.
He also said, 'sand policy should not be restricted for a community. They want to warn district authority and they will put pressure on DC to study the ground reality on availability of sand. A petition needs to be filed with the deputy commissinoer as well as mines and ecology department. Now Udupi is being used as a ground for conducting experiments".
He continued, "sand is natural resource, but district administration is not concerned about the problems faced by the people of the district because of sand shortage. As a result, innocents people are suffering due to shortage of sand."
Jerry Vincent Dias, proprietor of Mandavi builders, addressing the gathering, said that fund running into crores of rupees is sanctioned to labour department, but people are not aware of it. Migrating workers are moving towards other districts in search of jobs. A separate sand rule has to be framed for coastal districts, he demanded.
U Sudesh Shet Bannanje, secretary, KRV said, "there is lack of unity among people. If necessary, we can call for district bandh to sound the district authority about the seriousness of this problem" he stated.
Ravi said that the previous DC did not have the patience to receive memos from protestors. The authority should work by keeping in mind the interests of public, he stressed.
He alleged that the authority is influenced by big sand mafia that controls mines and geology department.
Manohar Shetty of Sairadha Builders said that requirement of sand within the district can be met only if the district administration stays transportation of sand to other districts and states. He insisted on passing a special resolution on sand mining at the meeting. A uniform rate to be fixed on sand units, he felt.
Vijaykumar Hegde said, "a sound and accurate document should be prepared, before submitting memo. There is no meaning in attacking district authority without having enough supporting records."
He pointed out that although National Green Tribunal had asked to submit a detailed report on sand mining along with recommendations, no rules have been framed since May 17 till now. He felt that this speaks about the callous attitude of the district authority towards this matter.
At the end, leaders decided to wait till the NGT comes out with an order on this issue. It was thought necessary to appoint an advocate to present arguments on behalf of coastal area at National Green Tribunal. A meeting is being convened on September 17 to take further steps on the issue.
Ranjan Kalkur, proprietor of Kalkur builders, Ansar Ahmed, Chandrika Shetty, and others were present at the dais.