Dinesh Gundu Rao takes Mines and Geology official to task for failing to check illegal sand extraction

Mangaluru: District in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao took Mines and Geology Department senior geologist Krishnaveni to task for failing to control illegal sand mining being carried out unabated across the district.

Strict action should be taken to contain illegal sand extraction, he stressed while addressing officials during the KDP (Karnataka Development Programme) meeting held at Netravathy hall in Dakshina Kannada Zilla panchayat premises on Monday. The minister said police department and Mines and Geology Department should work in coordination to contain illegal sand mining. Owing to the illegal sand mining, bridges are getting damaged in the district, he said.

MLC Ivan D’Souza raising the issue said there has been an increase in illegal sand extraction across the district. It is nothing but daylight robbery in the district, he charged. When the minister sought an explanation, senior geologist Krishnaveni said that if she gets support from police, then she can contain the sand racket. Police had failed to register a case even when she had handed over vehicles engaged in extraction of sand.

Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja urged the government to hand over non CRZ blocks to gram panchayats to help them generate revenue. Dakshina Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan M P said that sand had not been extracted from CRZ areas for past four years following directions from National Green Tribunal (NGT). The state committee had already submitted CRZ rules, seeking permission for extraction of sand from CRZ areas using traditional methods.

Once centre notifies CRZ rules, hurdles pertaining to sand extraction in CRZ areas will be solved. “We are awaiting centre's notification,” DC said.

Krishnaveni said there were 27 sand blocks in non- CRZ areas and leases of nine blocks had expired. There is no demand for sand from non-CRZ areas. 60 CC cameras had been installed to monitor illegal sand extraction. 107 cases pertaining to illegal sand mining had been booked and a penalty of Rs 98 lakh was collected in the district, she said.

To complaints that Krishnaveni was refusing to sign the proceedings of DC’s meeting, district in-charge secretary Tulasi Maddineni directed Krishnaveni to act as 'a responsible officer' and sign the proceedings. The minister in turn promised to hold a meeting with Mines and Geology minister to discuss the sand extraction in CRZ areas. Earlier the minister told mediapersons that there is a demand for construction materials.

"A few are trying to have easy access to it. They are extracting maximum sand even from the river right below bridges causing huge loss to exchequer," he said.