Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 28: Tender processes pertaining to six tenders each for sand extraction invited in second and third phases have been completed. Geologists of mines and geology department said that currently scrutiny of documents submitted by the contractors is under way.

They said that out of seven sand blocks put up for clearing for which approval from the secretary in the department of forest, environment and ecology was received, 1,75,26,061 metric tonnes of sand is available. As objections have been received from fishermen relating to two sand blocks identified in River Sita, permission has been given to 45 persons to extract 1,69,10,524 tonnes of sand from the remaining five sand blocks, it is learnt.

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National Institute of Technology Suratkal, which conducted bathymetric survey in rivers located within the limits of Kaup and Brahmavar taluks, has reported that 138,64,79,045 metric tonnes of sand is available in them. Proposal for permission to remove this sand was sent on January 8 along with recommendation of Coastal Region Management Authority. Once permission is received, it will be placed before a committee of seven members and further steps as required would be taken thereafter, the department stated.

They said that permission has been obtained for the blocks with area less than five hectares under Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules. In these cases, there is no necessity to draw up environment management schemes, and the government has permitted to mine sand from such cases once environmental clelrance is received. Seven of the blocks have been set aside for government works. As per rules, tenders were floated on tender-cum-auction basis. 96 persons took part in 11 sand blocks out of which 57 failed to submit income tax returns pertaining three previous years. The officials said that the government had been approached on December 28 seeking to relax certain conditions.

In the meanwhile, under the leadership of all party and all organizations, indefinite day and night stir will begin opposite the office of the deputy commissioner, seeking to give lease for sand extraction to all the traditional   licence holders, beginning at 10 am on January 28, said Praveen Suvarna, Satyuaraj Birti, Raghavendra Shetty and Chandra Poojary Katpadi of sand action committee.