Depts taken to task for lack of coordination

16 places have been identified for extraction of sand, says Deputy Commissioner

The Departments of Mines and Geology, Revenue and PWD should work in coordination to solve the row over shortage of sand in the district, said former Prime Minister and MP H D Deve Gowda.

Speaking at the district-level vigilance and monitoring committee meeting in Chikkamagaluru on Saturday, he said there is lack of coordination among the three departments.

When officials were furnishing details on progress of the Indira Awaz Housing schemes in the district, the Koppa Taluk Panchayat president said that the shortage of sand is affecting the construction of houses sanctioned under various housing schemes.

Sand supply

Deputy Commissioner S P Shadakshariswamy said that 16 places have been identified for extraction of sand, official order has been issued for extraction of sand at 10 places. As per the direction of the Green Tribunal, sand is being extracted at four places. Measures will be taken to distribute sand from 10 places within 15 days, the deputy commissioner added.

Deve Gowda said that there is a need to check illegal transportation of sand. “Sand is being transported illegally to Mysuru and Ramanagara from Chikkamagaluru. A district-level committee should be constituted to check illegal transportation of sand from the district,” he added.

The engineer said that the work on the 70.08-km road taken up under Pradhan Mantri Grama Swaraj Yojane will be completed by February-end.

The Tarikere Taluk Panchayat president said that water has not been supplied to Karakucchi and Belenahalli villages in the Tarikere taluk.

To this, the local MP Shobha Karandlaje directed the officials to solve the problem at the earliest.

Legislator B B Ningaiah said that the government should come to the rescue of coffee growers who are in distress. “Abour 40 per cent of Arabica coffee has been spoiled following heavy rainfall. The centre should send an expert team to assess the loss of coffee,” he advised

Zilla Panchayat President Kavitha Belliprakash, Vice President Vishal Thippesh and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr R Ragapriya and others were present.