JOIN USThe illegal sand transportation which had almost stopped in Mudigere taluk during last two months, has continued again and transportation is taking place rampantly across the taluk.
Trucks and tractors carrying sand move in the taluk in the broad day light without undergoing any inspection. The transportation is not limited to the taluk, but sand is illegally transported to the district centre and also to the neighbouring districts.
Local contractor drivers have alleged the involvement of mines and geology department staff in the illegal sand transportaion.
Illegally stored sand at Anajur in the taluk is sold after paying royalty. But, sand is extracted in Jenubailu, Badavan Dinne, Jannapura, Horatti and other areas, by using just one permit, thus violating the rules. Sand transporters are easily cheating the inspectors by showing the receipt of the royalty paid to Anajur. Sand is extracted from Hemavathi river during night and all the vigilance teams formed for the purpose of stopping illegal sand mining are inactive, complain the public.
The investigating officers have recently cracked the fake permit racket that is rampant in the taluk. The transporters are producing the permits which they claim to have been issued by Udupi district mines and geology department. While, in reality, the local officers say that Udupi district does not give permission to transport sand.
The vigilant officers have recently seized three trucks with fake permits and are investigating into the case. The trucks carrying permits from Dakshina Kannada district, carry the signature of vigilant officers in Kottigehara check post and reach Mudigere town via Daradahalli and Kadidal route. Public have suspected the role of department officers in these trucks gaining easy entry into the town.