Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (RJP)

Kundapur, Aug 11: “Government has turned blind eye to the problems of the people in Udupi district. Traditional sand miners and labourers are suffering because mining is not being allowed. We are holding a mega rally under the leadership of BJP Backward Classes Morcha to wake up the government on August 16 at 4 pm in Kundapur. A walkathon will be held from Mabukula to Kundapur prior to that,” informed Member of Legislative Council Kota Srinivasa Poojary.

He was speaking in a press meet at Sri Sharada Kalyana Mantapa in Koteshwar on Friday, August 11.

“The government tells us that it will import sand from Malaysia. We do not have objection to that. But it needs to understand the plight of local people. Sand mining will give them daily bread. So many people are dependent on it. We have sufficient sand here. If sand is not mined, fishing will be affected. Let the government give a chance to the backward people to live happily and with dignity by allowing them to mine sand in the district,” Poojary added.

“The government is not handling the distribution of 94C properly. District administration says that it is not possible to give land rights as 34,000 hectares is declared deemed forest. Government says it is waiting for directives from Supreme Court. In fact the government has failed to handle the issue properly.

“Food minister is acting like he is a publicity minister. 5,500 ration cards are held up. Cards are not being printed,” Poojary said.

“There is no need to import sand if local mining is allowed. Let them allow traditional mining. Let them bring comprehensive uniform sand policy. Why the government should fail to address this simple issue?” said former MP Jayaprakash Hegde.

Suresh Shetty, Rajesh Kaveri of Backward Morcha Ravi Thingalaya and Raghu Poojary were present.