Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Apr 2: President of Sand Contractors, Sand Boat Owners, Workers and Building Materials Transportation Truck Owners Action Committee, Mayur Ullal, informed at a press conference held here on Friday April 1, that the committee has decided to observe indefinite sand transportation bandh with effect from Saturday April 2. He explained that this step is being taken in protest against the non-cooperative attitude of the government and district administration towards them.
The committee has demanded for immediate implementation of the guidelines received from the state government towards sand business concerning coastal districts. It has demanded for immediate implementation of recommendations like special concession, formation of committee by the deputy commissioner etc. He said that the three months period given to submit objections and suggestions for the Coastal Regulatory Zone notification, which is under implementation stage, has expired, but that the plea made for simplification of the procedures, concessions, and for bringing amendments, have gone unheeded.
He accused the government of issuing an order on sand mining and transportation, just three days before it was to be implemented. The order was issued on March 28, and it was to be implemented on April 1, he noted. “The order is full of contradictions and confusions. There is no time to get clarifications on these points. Therefore, we are compelled to go ahead with our strike programme,” he said. He also apologised for the problems the entrepreneurs, builders, and other citizens may face because of this protest.
Giving figures, he said 649 trucks that are registered under the committee, have fitted global positioning systems, and that about 25,000 workers are dependent on sand mining and transportation for a living. Ullal also said that the committee has decided to draw support from other committees for this protest.
Committee general secretary, Rajaratna Sanil, vice-president, Iqbal, Nagesh, legal advisor, Chandru B S etc, were present at the press conference.