Sand mining irregularities highlighted in Udupi ZP meet

Members expressed dissatisfaction over irregularities in sand mining and availability of the sand to take up construction works at the ZP meeting here.

MLA Ragupathi Bhat objected unscientific decision in the allocations of sand blocks.

“The district administration should be held responsible for unnecessary hurdles being created in the process of procuring the sand. The process of identifying the sand blocks is delayed,” he alleged.

Bhat demanded a separate committee for maintenance of the sand blocks and supervision. MLA Prathpachandra Shetty held the mines and geology department responsible for joining hands with the sand traders, the district level committee, constituted by deputy commissioner.

“Artificial scarcity of the sand is created and there should be an investigation in this regard,” he urged.

“The DC is responsible for availability for the sand. Mining activities at non-CRZ area unsolved, but a few spots have been identified,” he said.

“Under Aroghyabandhu Scheme, big hospitals should be asked to look after primary health centres as part of corporate social responsibility,” he said.

DHO Dr Rohini explained hurdles involved in the process. Existing staff at government maternal and child hospital should be retained. There is no government control over new hospital although the hospital offers better super speciality facilities. The district surgeon should be in-charge of the hospital. A medical superintendent should also be appointed in the new hospital from the government, he added.

Member Shilpa Suvarna alleged that the second phase compensation for ISPRL (Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited) at Padur is not given.

“Even the initial phase compensation package is also only partially paid,” she said.

Tahsildar Pradeep Kurdekar said that the DC should take a call. Member Janardhan Thonse objected the delay in setting up of hobli and village-level committees for tackling rain woes.