Karnataka's new sand policy will benefit rich and influential: B Ramanath Rai

Mangaluru: Senior Congress leader and former minister B Ramanath Rai on Wednesday voiced concern over the new sand policy of the state government as it will result in injustice to traditional sand extractors involved in sand extraction in the CRZ area in Dakshina Kannada.

As per the new policy, sand extraction will be entrusted to Karnataka State Mineral Corporation and Hutti Gold Mines.

Addressing reporters at a press conference here, Rai said that the policy will be beneficial to the rich and influential.

He urged the government to revert to the earlier sand policy initiated by the previous Congress government. In the old policy, traditional sand extractors involved in sand extraction prior to 2011 are given permits on a seniority basis to extract sand in CRZ area. In the non-CRZ area, tender-cum- auctioning of the blocks should be continued to extract sand.

“Since last nine months, no permits have been issued for sand extraction in CRZ areas in Dakshina Kannada. However, the district is not facing any shortage of sand owing to the illegal sand mining activities,” said Rai.

He further alleged that BJP leaders are also supporting such illegal sand extraction.