JOIN USOfficials told to prevent shortage of sand
District In-charge Minister K J George has directed officials of the Mines and Geology Department to follow government guidelines and ensure that there was no shortage of sand in Kodagu district.
“The district is apparently facing acute shortage of sand for construction activities. Sand blocks, however, have been identified in the district. The officials should, therefore, ensure that there is no shortage of sand,” the minister instructed.
He was speaking at the quarterly KDP review meeting in town on Saturday.
Raising the issue of non-availability of sand for construction activities in the district, legislator M P Appachu Ranjan said that the construction work has come to a standstill in Kodagu in many places.
Struggle in forests
Legislator K G Bopaiah said that the forest officials are harassing traditional forest-dwellers in Thithimathi and Maldare by filing false cases against them. The guidelines on Forest Rights Act are not being implemented effectively in the district.
In reaction, the minister said that the officials should, instead, provide basic facilities to the traditional forest-dwellers. They should also visit the tribal colonies to learn the real conditions and activities of the people.
George also said that a meeting to discuss fixing of a tax on Jamma land in Kodagu district will be organised in Bengaluru on October 7. “The meeting will be attended by the law minister, Revenue Department secretary, and the deputy commissioner,” he added.
Legislators should conduct public contact programmes every month in their respective Assembly constituencies and provide solutions to the problems faced by the people in the constituencies, the minister instructed.