Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jun 17: Former minister and  MLA, U T Khader, accused the BJP people's representatives of becoming silent spectators to uncontrolled, illegal sand mining going on in Dakshina Kannada district. He also blamed the administration for its inertia on the issue. He demanded revival of the Sand Bazar app with immediate effect to control illegal sand extraction.

He was addressing a press meet in the city on Tuesday, June 16. "Those who hold permission for sand extraction now are allowed to indulge in illegal sand mining at their whims and fancies rather than confining their activities to prescribed blocks and their permits have not been renewed. The Congress will launch a fight against this, he said and invited people to lodge complaints in this connection through WhatsApp to the cell phone No. 9845491517 of the district Congress president," he said.

Khader condemned the central government's move of enhancing prices of petroleum products on a daily basis. He said that the government should have extended tax concessions for a period of three months to owners of private buses, auto drivers and taxi drivers because of corona-induced lockdown.

He asked the Prime Minister to break his silence on the friction with China at the border and inform the people what is happening there. He also advised the Prime Minister to show his commitment to taking immediate steps to protect the country's interests.

District Congress president Harish Kumar, leader of the opposition in the city corporation Abdul Ravuf, leaders Santosh Shetty, Sadashiva Ullal and others were present.