Shortage of sand: UTK bats for sand mining policy amendment

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada District In-charge and Urban Development and Housing Minister U T Khader opined that the existing guidelines in the sand mining policy, meant for coastal districts should be relaxed as none was coming forward to extract sand from the non-CRZ areas resulting in a shortage of sand in Dakshina Kannada district. Speaking to the reporters here on Monday, September 17, Khader said that under the existing sand mining policy, those wanting to extract sand should have an experience in sand mining of at least five years and they should be the residents of that particular area. Due to this strict policy, no one is ready to involve in sand mining in non-CRZ area. If there is relaxation in the guidelines, it would help the sand minors. Thus, the problem in availing sand will also be rectified in DK district'', he said and added that he was not against the decision of providing more preference to the local people while tendering process. "A meeting will be convened at the Deputy Commissioner's office shortly to decide on what major amendments are required to the existing sand mining policy. After preparing a report in this regard, we are planning to send it to the government'', Khader added. Source: News Karnataka