Illegal sand extraction, transportation: Dakshina Kannada DC constitutes squads

Mangaluru: Following complaints of illegal sand extraction, illegal stocking and transportation, Dakshina Kannada  Deputy Commissioner, Mullai Muhilan M P, who is also the district sand committee chairman, has constituted five squads to check illegal sand extraction and its transportation in the district.

Following the allegation of illegal sand extraction from Addur Muloor to Gurpura bridge including Doninje, Kelagina Kere, banks of river Phalguni, Mallur, Malavoor, DC has appointed PWD Executive engineer as nodal officer with geologist from Mines and Geology, Bajpe police inspector, Gurpura hobli revenue inspector, PWD Assistant Executive Engineer and Mangaluru RFO as its member.

Following reports of illegal sand extraction from Gurpura bridge to Adyapadi, DC has appointed Minor irrigation executive engineer as Nodal officer with Geologist from Mines and Geology, Mangaluru rural inspector, Minor irrigation assistant executive engineer, Deputy Tahsildar of Gurpura hobli and Taluk Panchayat EO as members.

On the alleged illegal sand extraction from Thumbe, Arkula, Farangipete- Valacchil- Adyar- Kannur- Padil, the DC has appointed Senior Geologist of Mines and Geology as nodal officer with mines and geology geologist, Bantwal rural inspector, Deputy Tahsildar, Motor vehicle inspector of regional transport office, Bantwal, and Bantwal RFO as members.

Panambur ACP has been appointed as nodal officer with geologist from mines and geology, Surathkal inspector, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board assistant environment officer, deputy tahsildar of Surathkal hobli and MCC assistant executive engineer as members to check illegal sand extraction / transportation in Kottara, Surathkal, Mukka and Pavanje.

Mangaluru tahsildar has been appointed as nodal office to check illegal sand extraction/ transportation at Boloor, Jeppinamogaru, Kannur, Kuloor and Sulthan Bathery with RTO, Geologist from Mines and Geology, Pandeshwar inspector, Mangaluru taluk deputy tahsildar and DRFO of Mangaluru as members.

The DC said the squads should work in shifts and take measures to check illegal sand extraction. If anyone is engaged in illegal sand extraction, stocking and transportation, then a case should be registered at the respective police station and illegally stocked sand should be seized.

If any individual had constructed a ‘dakke’ on his land or provided road connectivity to the river from his land and thereby supported illegal sand extraction, then a report should be submitted on them to the revenue department and mines and geology department. Case will be booked against such individuals under Karnataka Mines and minerals (development and Regulation) Act, said DC.

The nodal officers should visit the sand stockyard in their limits and verify on the sand and bills issued by the lease holder. If there is no bill, then it would be considered as illegal and a report should be submitted to the Mines and geology department to take action against such individuals. The compliance report on the steps taken to check illegal sand extraction and transportation should be submitted to the DC office every week. Disciplinary action will be taken against officials for any lapse, he warned.