Act against illegal sand mining, MLA tells police

Virajpet MLA K G Bopaiah on Saturday, directed the police to take stringent action against those who were involved in illegal sand mining and illegal transportation of sand.

Chairing the tri-monthly review meeting of Virajpet taluk panchayat at Ponnampet College of Forestry in Gonikoppa, he said that rampant illegal sand mining is taking place on the banks of river Lakshman Theertha. Sand is extracted using excavator and mechanised boats. The police must take  action against those who are involved in sand mining violating the rules, he insisted.

Earlier, Zilla Panchayat member Bond Ganapathy alleged that police are unnecessarily harassing those who are extracting sand in small quantity for personal use, abiding the mining policy. Reacting to the allegation, Taluk Sand Task Force Chief and Ponnampet Sub Inspector Subramanya clarified that the police do not take action against those who extract sand less than 10 loads for personal use. But action will be taken against those who extract sand for business purpose.

Bopaiah said that the government exchequer is incurring loss in lakhs due to illegal mining by an individual near B Shettygeri. He directed the concerned officers to take action against those who were involved in such illegal activities.

“Gambling menace is on rise in the taluk. The menace has been disturbing peace and harmony in the taluk. The police should take immediate steps to put an end to gambling.

Even general public should join hands with the police in curbing such activities. All those who are involved in illegal quarrying, sand mining and gambling will be punished according to the law,” he said. Balele Gram Panchayat President Adenganda Vinu Utthappa complained on slow progress of work in the revenue department. Income certificates, caste certificates, widow pensions and other facilities are not given to the beneficiaries on time. Obtaining RTC too has become a Herculean task. Though the government has announced of distributing rice at Re 1/kg from July, no arrangements have been made in the taluk for the same. On wild elephant menace in the taluk, Bopaiah directed the forest department officials to submit a proposal to the government to chase elephants to the forest.