Mangalore : The State government has amended the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, guiding in a new rule in sand mining in the State, said Mayur Ullal, President, Joint Action Committee, Sand Contractors, Sand Boat Owners-Workers and Building Materials.
Speaking at the press meet held by Coastal districts Sand mining in association with Transport unions at Hotel Foodland on July 22, Friday.
He also said that the new rules, gazette on July 2, envisages regulating sand mining by laying down a number of restrictions. The new rules aimed to end reckless sand mining that is causing serious damage to the environment.
In the meeting held in the presence of district in charge ministers of three district, department secretary, MLA’s, Parishad members and office bearers on June 16, 2011, the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa had given the permission to make separate rules for the three coastal districts. We thank the coastal district in charge ministers like Krishna J Palemar, Dr V S Acharya and Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri and deputy commissioner of three districts and CM for responding to the problems.
But now in the State Sand Mining rule 2011, the political representatives made the rules which effect sand business in the coastal region and the all the sand committee organization condemn this rule by cabinet.
He said that as per the amended rules, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been entrusted with the responsibility of sand extraction, transportation, storage and disposal. A district-level committee headed by the deputy commissioner will monitor the activities of the PWD, besides identifying the sand deposits and this is not acceptable.
The members of committee like Walter Lobo, Rajaratna Sanil, Satyapal Rai, Jithendra Suvarna and Sunil were present at the press meet.