Harshini Brahmavar

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Oct 25: BJP Horata Samithi, BJP Labour Organization, Udupi District Engineers’ Organisation, Association of Rickshaw Owners and Drivers, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, members of Savita Samaja, Brahmavar Goods Rickshaw Drivers and Owners’ Association, BJP members, municipal council members and Boat Owners’ Association jointly held indefinite day and night protests near the office of deputy commissioner, Rajathadri, Manipal on Thursday, October 25 opposing the stand taken by district administration regarding sand issue.

Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat blamed the district administration for artificial scarcity of sand. “I do not trust the DC’s hollow promises. The protests will continue till permission to extract sand is issued.

“CRZ and non CRZ problem is continuing for the last several years. The district administration is purposely obstructing extraction of sand. The protests will be held day and night. We do not agree for DC’s meeting for compromise. Department of mining or minister, district in-charge secretary and Udupi district in-charge minister should hold a joint meeting.

“The campaign should become violent. CRZ and non CRZ areas should be open for sand mining together. It will be unjust for licence holders otherwise. The state government should vacate sensitive areas in Byndoor and Kundapur.

“The tender process in non CRZ area should be cancelled and lease system should be implemented. Separate sand policy should be brought for coast. If 68 people are granted lease in nine blocks, there will be friction. Therefore, all the 28 blocks should be opened together.

“There are no legal hurdles to open 171 blocks. As election code of conduct till November 5 is a deterrent, we have decided for peaceful protests. There is scarcity of sand due to huge demand. The protests will continue till permission is given in both non CRZ and CRZ areas.

“As there are several rivers in Karkala where several mounds can be identified. We are prepared to pay cess for sand from Gurpur. Officials should come out from their four walls, conduct research and take further action,” said the MLA.

MLC S L Bhojegowda said, “I did not come here to play politics. The chief minister addressed the problem and understood the severity of sand issue. Two official meetings were held at the state level. The CM has given clear instructions to DC at district development review meeting to address the problem. He instructed geologists clearly and the DC as well. The DC is knowledgeable enough to understanding the legal hurdles. I request all of you to give some more time.

“Officials of Geology department here are responsible for sand shortage problem. If the current officials fail to address the problem, we will see that they are out. There is legal hurdles for non CRZ and it will take time. The CM is aware of it. By-election is ahead. So we cannot do anything till November 5 because of the election code of conduct. I will speak to the CM. I will join this protest if necessary in days to come. The DC and mining officials have failed to implement CM’s order. Let us come to a firm decision soon after the election,” he said. Bhojegowda also ensured about getting permission for sand extraction under CRZ.

Opposition party leader Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “A meeting led by CM of Karnataka was held in the presence of two district’s DCs, MLAs, MLC, district in-charge ministers and mining department officials. Sand shortage issue has become worse. We had conveyed the situation of the district to state chief secretary Vijaya Bhaskar and the chief minister. He ensured that everything will be fine after October 15. But no official notification has been issued so far. It is all about the question of life of common people. A situation has come to us to think about migrating to other districts in search of jobs. The CM had promised of giving permission for sand mining. Though the CM ordered, the DC of Udupi did not take any action to overcome sand shortage. Daily wage workers have become jobless and are struggling to get daily bread. This protest is not for the sake of personal interest, but for common people. Many housing construction works have been stopped in the twin districts due to unavailability of sand. If houses being constructed under government schemes are not completed in six months, the released funds will be cancelled. Most of them have already been cancelled I have heard. Development works are completely stopped across the district. This protest is to get justice. We do not want empty promises, but implementation of directions given by the chief minister at the earliest. Until a firm decision is taken, the protest will continue day and night.”

Builders’ association district president Jerry Vincent Dias said that the government provides jobs only to 25%, while builders and engineers provide jobs for 75% ordinary people. “The workers are sitting idle without jobs because of sand issue. The government takes people into confidence only during elections,” he said.

Lorry and Tempo Owners’ Association which had given up protests after the DC asked for time for taking action, joined the protests to show their solidarity.

Deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis met the protesters, who were in no mood to call off the protest.

Gopal Bhat, president, Udupi District Engineers’ Association, Sukumar Shetty, Byndoor MLA, Sudhama of Boat Owners’ Association, Ansar Ahmed, district president Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Prasanna Kumar, state convener Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, Pravin Shetty, Lorry and Tempo Owners’ Association, Mattar Rathnaker Hegde, district BJP president, M G Nagendra, Sarva Sanghagala Horata Samithi, Sheela K Shetty, Dinaker Babu and others were present.