Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Nov 3: BJP began a day-long agitation in front of DC office, against the sand shortage in district and illegal sand mining.

Inaugurating the agitation Mangaluru South Vedavyas Kamath said "Sand have become more valuable then gold in the district. District in-charge minister and officials say that they will solve the issue soon. During his visit to the district, revenue minister Deshpande assured that the sand issue will be sort out within 15 days. But now three months are over . Government and district in-charge minister could have solved the problem . But they are misleading the common people with their fake promises. Sand mafia is behind this delay. We all know that the ruling party in the district is controlled by sand mafia. Officials and illegal sand dealers have close connections. Entire administration system is silently backing sand mafia,”

“Last year 400 licence holders applied for tender and were granted permits for mining. But all of suddenly this year administration cancelled this and called tender from new applicants. By this we can understand how sand mafia and administration are involved in this scam,” he added

“State government has a sand policy. But it is not suitable for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. We need a separate and traditional sand policy. The unscientific sand mining will bring more disasters to our district. District administration should look into this issue very seriously,” he informed.

“At the time of chief minister’s visit to the district, he called a meeting of all elected representatives. But within minutes he left the meeting by giving some reasons. He is not willing to here and does not want to discuss the issues of Dakshina Kannada. Here all legislators are from the BJP party. It is clear that he does not have any concern for the district. He is evaluating everything on the basis of politics, " he said.

In his speech Premananda Shetty, opposition leader, MCC, said, "In Dakshina Kannada, minister UT Khader set up a separate sand policy for sand mafia. With his and his party’s patronage, the sand mafia is doing their business without any fear. They are ready to supply sand anywhere and anytime. Their price goes up to one lac rupees. Officials and ruling party leaders are getting commission from this. But common people cannot build their dream projects like small houses,"

"This is one type of day robbery. Every time district in-charge minister says sand issue will be solved within a week. But weeks, months and years have passed. Now BJP is taking this as people’s issue and is fighting against the sand mafia and district administration’s involvement. We want say this is a scam,” Shetty added.

Leaders Pooja Pai and Radhakrishna Mijar were present among hundreds of BJP members.