JOIN USState government to follow TN model in sand mining
Transport Minister R Ashok told reporters on Tuesday said in TN, the Government conducts sand mining and auctions it. The traders can buy sand in the auction.
Besides, an organised system is there in the neighbouring State for transportation also. As a result, the Tamil Nadu Government is earning an annual revenue of around Rs 150 crore, he added.
A team of officials headed by the Director of Mines and Geology has been sent to TN to study the system there and submit a report. The Government will examine the report and take an appropriate decision, the Minister said.
The Karnataka Government, Ashok said, is getting only around Rs 10 crore revenue from sand mining and transportation every year.
Majority of sand traders are conducting sand mining illegally in the State. So there is a need to streamline the system. Once it is done, the sand rate will also come down in the State, he added.
Meeting called
The Transport Minister has called a meeting of striking sand lorry owners on Wednesday. The lorry owners allege that the Government is “harassing” them by charging exorbitant fee to transport sand.
They want a system to be put in place wherein they can obtain the permit by paying the stipulated transportation fee at one place, Ashok said.
Srike continues
The indefinite stir by sand lorry owners continued into its 11th day here on Tuesday, with the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Association (FKSLOAA) stating that workers/labourers, involved in the trade are being affected by way of loss of daily wages.
Meanwhile, officials in the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) said the sand lorry strike, could affect work of the Metro rail project, as construction material transportation may come to a standstill and delay on-going work. “It may affect us, if the strike continues” said B L Yashavanth Chavan, BMRCL spokesperson.