MLA Raghupathi Bhat Warns of Indefinite Protest from Oct 25 to Solve Sand Row in Udupi District
Udupi: “The district administration is responsible for the sand mining problem in Udupi district. The officials of the geology and mines department have joined hands with the sand mafia in the district”, alleged Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat.
He was speaking at a press meet held at the press club on Friday, October 19. The government and the district administration’s promises on allowing sand extraction in the CRZ and non-CRZ areas have not been fulfilled so far. Why is the district administration dilly-dallying on issuing permission for sand extraction even after the Chief Minister’s order?, he questioned.
He further said, “The district administration should have allowed sand extraction in accordance with the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Permission should be extended to traditional sand lifters,” he urged.
The entire Udupi district has been facing hurdles for the past two years due to the scarcity of sand. Most of the construction workers are facing problems. Even though NGT has given clear orders to give permission for sand extraction in the CRZ area. A meeting will be held in this connection on October 22 at the Bannanje Narayanaguru Hall where a final decision will be taken about the protest and also a final memorandum will be submitted to the deputy commissioner. If we fail to get a solution then all the MLAs and MLCs from the BJP and Congress and various associations will hold an indefinite protest in front of DC office from October 25, he warned.
Various Association leaders like Pradeep Shetty, Sudheer Shetty, Gururaj Rao, Manjunath, Gopal Bhat and M G Nagendra and others were present.