Mangalore: The Joint Action Committee of Sand Contractors, Boat Owners/Workers and Building Materials Transporters on 7th April organised a press meet at Hotel Woodsite in the port city to inform that sand mining on the coast had run into confusion and fresh troubles in view of sand policy pursued by the government as a result of which several building constructions in the coastal regions of Karnataka and Kerala were in peril of stoppage for want of fine powdered sand. On 1st April, the sand contractors had gone on a self inspired closure of mining and transportation activities.
It was urged by these contractors / transporters to give 6 months to status quo before rectifying the disorder in sand-mining/transport activities. All concerned ministers have been contacted and requested to find a suitable remedy to the deteriorating situation.
It was argued before them that the Sand Policy 2011 and Coastal Regulation Zone dual policy had ruined the traditional sand carrying trades and families that depended on such sand transport.
These matters in detail were explained by Mayur Ullal (Chairman of Joint Action Committee), Rajaratna Sanil, Melwyn Leslie, Harish Shetty Bail (office-bearers) and B.S Chandru (Legal Adviser) at the Press meet held on Thursday. Copies of a Memorandum to the Govt. of Karnataka have been sent to relevant ministers Palemar and Ashok, MLAs/MPs./secretaries, DK DC, CPC, engineers, geology and mining department directors/officers, even state Pollution Control Board local officer in Panambur already the speakers at the press meet stated.
Meanwhile in a relaxed step for sand miners on April 7, Director of Mines and Geology notified that old rules would prevail for another 45 days! DK, Udupi and NK districts will be allowed sand mining now, till now rules are framed, he explained to the relief of sand miners.