'Allow sand mining for personal use'

Addressing a press meet, Federation office-bearers Madhu Bopanna and B T Dinesh said “if the sand is given to contractor, then the price of the sand will shoot up in the district. The new sand policy will also give scope for corruption.” “With the new sand mining policy, one can not undertake sand mining from the nearby river for personal use. Farmers and growers will be exploited,” he feared.

“If the sand mining is given on contract, then there are all possibilities of using JCB machines to remove the sand from rivers. With this, the people of the district may not get the required sand. The new sand policy will affect the commonman. Whether the government will be able to check illegal sand mining when iron is being exported illegally from the State,” they asked.

They said “one load of sand was available for Rs 1,500 in the past. However, now it has been increased to Rs 5,500. Owing to the illegal sand mining, the cost of the sand has increased. If the sand is sold at higher price, then we will start an agitation throughout the district,” warned B T Dinesh. Lead Bank has sent a circular to all the banks to implement special package for coffee as it is.