Bangalore: Truck operators’ Strike on Sand Transportation Called Off
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Dec 17: With the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP regime agreeing to auction 600 blocks for extraction of sand all over Karnataka and complete the process of their auction by December 25, the 10-day-old strike by the truck operators on transporting of sand in the state has been called off on Thursday, Dec 17.
Two rounds of talks held by the Transport Minister R Ashok with the representatives of Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents Associations under the leadership of its president G R Shanmugappa resulted in both sides reaching an amicable settlement on the outstanding issues, following which the end to the strike was announced.
The Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners’ and Agents Associations launched indefinite strike to press for renewal of permits for sand transportation and to resolve issues relating to sand extraction. The strike led to steep rise in the prices of sand and had adversely affected the construction industry.
The minister explained that the Mines and Geology Department has identified 600 blocks for sand extraction across Karnataka and all Divisional Commissioners would be directed to complete the process for auctioning all blocks before December 25.
The lorry owners have been asked to paint their trucks with yellow colour for easy identification of the vehicles transporting sand and they have accepted it, Ashok said.
Special task forces would constituted in each taluk to ban transportation and sale of filter sand (sand extracted from the soil), he said pointing out that the task forces shall comprise Revenue, Transport, Home and Mines and Geology Department officials, who would be empowered to crackdown illegal mining.
The task forces would also consisted of the Tahsildar, Road Transport Officer (RTO), officials of the Mining Department and Police, which would raid on places of filter sand extraction and register cases.
Lorry owners have agreed to extend support to the Government for cracking down filter sand manufacturing units, he said.
After two-hour long meeting, Ashok said the lorry owners have agreed to follow the Transport Department’s guidelines while transporting sand from extraction places to cities.
The trucks carrying sand should be covered with tarpaulin and sand should be limited to three feet height in a truck. Trucks transporting sand without tarpaulin would be fined Rs 1,500, he announced.
As the question relating to granting permits to sand transportation was before the Karnataka High Court, the Government would grant permits after the court judgment.
The High Court stayed the issue of temporary permits to transport sand. The Government is ready to provide all support to truckers as per the law. The fee for a permit is Rs 200 in the State against Rs 600 in Tamil Nadu, the minister said.
A new sand extraction policy would be introduced soon to end all problems regarding to sand mining in the State.
The draft policy was ready and it was presently before the Law Department for closer scrutiny. The newly policy would do away with the existing auctioning of sand blocks, he explained.