Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Sep 24: Deputy commissioner (DC) Swaroopa T K has assured that sand extraction in Udupi district will commence from October and announced a reduction in royalty on red stone by around Rs 175 per ton.
The assurance came during a joint meeting held on September 22 at the DC’s office, attended by Mines Department officials, district MLAs Kiran Kodgi, Sunil Kumar, Yashpal Suvarna and Gururaj Gantihole, and representatives of three CITU-affiliated construction workers’ unions. The meeting was called as per the commitment given during the three-day protest staged on August 18, 19, and 20 in front of the DC office.
Union leaders presented the challenges faced by construction workers regarding the availability and cost of red stone, sand, and clay. MLAs acknowledged the seriousness of the issues and directed officials to work on solutions.
During the meeting, several key decisions were announced. The royalty on red stone has been reduced by about Rs 175 per ton. Inter-district transport of stones will be permitted, and the number of quarrying permits will be increased with a simplified approval process. There will be no depth limit for stone quarrying, though no maximum price has been fixed for stones. Sand extraction is set to begin in October, with a maximum price already determined. The administration will also take up desilting of panchayat drains and work to increase the number of blocks through a tender-based system. The deputy commissioner and mines department assured that red stone and sand would be made available in larger quantities. MLAs gave a united assurance to remove restrictions and permit systems for clay required for tile industries and ensure more clay availability.
This outcome is being hailed as a victory for the workers who gave up three days of wages to stage their protest and press for solutions. However, the unions have warned that they will resume their agitation if the issues are not fully resolved. As no provision has been made to regulate the maximum price of stones, union leaders have indicated that further protests may be necessary to demand price control.
The meeting was attended by treasurer of Kundapur Taluk Building and Other Construction Workers’ Union Chandrashekar V, general secretary of Byndoor Taluk Building and Other Construction Workers’ Union Ronald Rajesh Quadros, general secretary of Udupi District Tile Workers’ Union H Narasimha, general secretary of Udupi District Building and Construction Workers’ Union Shashidhar Golla, president Subhashchandra Nayak, leaders Syyed Ali, Ramesh, and others.