Construction Workers’ Federation stages protest against Sand Crisis
Udupi: The Udupi district Construction Workers’ Federation affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions CITU, Udupi staged a protest demanding to settle the ongoing sand crisis in the district in front of the Clock Tower Udupi here on July 26.
CITU Secretary Balakrishna Shetty said that the ongoing sand crisis in the district has led to unemployment among labourers in the district. Efforts by the government to solve the crisis does not seem to have any effect. The construction of buildings and other projects have stalled in the district due to the non-availability of sand. The non-availability of sand has also increased unemployment among the labourers. The government and the district administration should take urgent steps to solve the ongoing sand crisis in the district.
The issues relating to the online registration and renewal of labourers in the Karnataka State Building Construction Workers Welfare Board has directly affected the lives of labourers. The announcement of provident fund along with housing sites as announced by the Chief Minister in the budget should be implemented without delay. A sum of rupees 5650.71 crores has been collected for the welfare of workers in the Karnataka State Building Construction Workers Welfare Board but only rupees 177 crores has been spent towards promoting the welfare of the labourers.
The labourers association has decided to oppose the government decision on providing bus pass, smart phone, KSRTC bus pass and other benefits.
CITU demands the effective implementation of demands like solving the ongoing sand crisis in the district, the release of funds for registered workers in Karnataka State Building Construction Workers Welfare Board. Technical issues on registration and renewal to be rectified and The funds collected in the Karnataka State Building Construction Workers Welfare Board should not be utilised for other purposes.
CITU activists further demanded the presence of Minister Pramod Madhwaraj to listen to their grievances, else they warned of protesting outside his office. Madhwaraj who was busy with other issues soon arrived at the spot near Diana Circle.
Addressing the protesters, the Minister said that the government has no role in the non-availability of sand, the NGT has stayed the functioning of blocks in the CRZ Zone and it has issued an order to re issue the licence by complying with the legal parameters prescribed for procuring sand in the CRZ area. 10 meetings have been held for issuing the licence for new sand blocks. On July 25 the State committee comprising of the Environment, Forest and Mines and Geology officials held a meeting in Udupi where the committee decided to give permission for the procurement of sand from August 1. The deputy commissioner has instructed to procure sand by traditional means and also to regulate the transportation of sand within the district. The sand procured in the district should not cross the district borders. Only the local labourers should be used for procuring sand and no heavy vehicles are permitted to transport sand. The cabinet sub-committee is discussing on giving permission to the sand blocks in the non-CRZ area. On the utilisation of funds under Karnataka State Building Construction Workers Welfare Board he said that he will approach the Chief Minister and the concerned ministry and discuss the matter.