Twin districts to get mineral-free sand, Strict action against violators: Nirani

Team Udayavani, Mar 24, 2021, 9:22 AM IST

Bengaluru: Karnataka mines and geology minister Murugesh R Nirani informed that Dakshina Kannada and Udupi will be supplied minerals-free sand and also warned of strict action against those violating the rules.

Nirani made the announcement while replying to a question from Congress leader Pratapchandra Shetty in the state Legislative Council.

“The state government decided to make the decision on supplying minerals-free sand to the coastal districts and take tough action against those violating the norm. The decision was based on the findings of the report from a committee constituted by the mines and geology, revenue, forests and environment ministries that quality of construction suffers from the use of sand having salt content,” he said

He further informed that 1153 lac metric tonnes of sand was extracted from the 22 sand blocks of Dakshina Kannada coastal regulation zone (CRZ) areas in 2018-19 and 2019-20.

The minister said the mines and geology department has identified 49 blocks having 12.71 lac metric tonnes of sand in non-CRZ areas of Dakshina Kannada district from 2018 to 2021. In the Udupi district, 28 blocks with 3.47 lac metric tonnes of sand have been identified during the same period.

As many as 182 cases of misuse of permits have been taken up in Dakshina Kannada district and 132 cases were registered during 2018-19. Fines to the tune of Rs 37.60 lac had been collected and 9138 metric tonnes of sand had been seized. The number of cases was 144 and the cases registered was 130 resulting in a collection of Rs 9.66 lac penalty and seizure of 4747 lac metric tonnes of sand during 2019-20. Another 155 cases were detected and 11 cases registered till the end of February with a collection of fines of Rs 53.98 lac and seizure of 6197 lac metric tonnes of sand.

In the Udupi district, as many as 110 cases of misuse of permits have been taken up and 83 cases were registered during 2018-19. Fines to the tune of Rs 23.50 lac had been collected and 116.50 metric tonnes of sand had been seized. The number of cases was 306 and the cases registered was 152 resulting in a collection of Rs 81.60 lac penalty and seizure of 991 lac metric tonnes of sand during 2019-20. Another 162 cases were detected and 32 cases registered till the end of February with a collection of fines of Rs 36.70 lac and seizure of 418 lac metric tonnes of sand.