'Announce separate sand policy for dist'

Addressing a press meet here on Saturday, he said “as per the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2011, sand bars which pose danger to navigation of fishing boats and vessels shall be identified by the department concerned in the state government. The State government in consultation with the PWD, water resources and fisheries department should formulate a proposal for the management of the sand bars including its removal.”

“Under the new policy, the Government (through the Public Works Department) will collect sand and sell it to the truck and lorry owners. The PWD will hire all those who are involved in lifting the sand manually. However, the policy would affect the traditional sand miners in the region.

Though the state government had announced a uniform policy which has resulted in scarcity of sand and steep rise in its price. “Several construction works undertaken by the government have come to a halt. People are finding it difficult to build houses,” he said. Though the governent had promised of formulating a separate policy for the coastal district, it has not been implemented so far. There is a need to review the sand policy, he added.
Convene meeting

The MLA urged Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to convene a meeting of the elected representatives and the officers of Dakshina Kannada district to discuss and prepare plan for the integrated development of the district.

“As the CM hails from Dakshina Kannada, he should give priority to the development of the district. There is a need to discuss on the deplorable condition of PWD, Zilla Panchayat and Gram Panchayat roads in the district.”

The district has received heavy rain and there is a need to assess the exact loss and distribute compensation, he added.