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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP objects to Minister not holding meeting over shortage of sand, laterite stones; threatens to intensify agitation
Objecting to Minister in charge of Dakshina Kannada district Dinesh Gundu Rao not holding any meeting with elected representatives to find out a solution to the shortage of sand and laterite stones in the district, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) threatened on Saturday that it will intensify its agitation to make the construction materials available to people. Addressing reporters here, Satish Kumpala, president of BJP Dakshina Kannada unit, said, 'Sand and laterite stones should be made available to people under the ambit of law.' Mr. Kumpala said that Mr. Rao spent a whole day in Mangaluru on Friday without discussing the matter related to the shortage of sand and laterite stones with MLAs, MLCs, and other elected representatives. Though the BJP had held protests over the shortage of construction materials and the matter was raised in the Karnataka Development Programme Review Committee meeting, Mr. Rao was not bothered to hold any meeting to find out a solution. Mr. Kumpala said that a BJP delegation met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru a few days ago and apprised him of the matter. The party was hopeful of getting a solution. If not, the party would intensify its agitation. The BJP leader said that many construction workers in the district did not have employment as extraction of sand and laterite stones had come to a standstill. Thick, rough sand Refuting the claim by the Mines and Geology Department that sand of non-Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas is available for purchase at yards through website or DK Sand Bazaar App, MLA for Mangaluru City North Y. Bharat Shetty said that the sand in question is thick and rough, which is not suitable for plastering of buildings. Dr. Shetty said that people need fine sand for construction purpose and claimed that they were not getting sand through the App. He said that Mr. Rao and U.T. Khader, Speaker of Legislative Assembly, have held meetings in Bengaluru on their own to discuss the matter without taking MLAs and MLCs of the district into confidence. 'What prevents the district Minister to hold a meeting with all elected representatives?,' Dr. Shetty asked. Concurring with Dr. Shetty, K. Prathapsimha Nayak, MLC, said that rough sand was not suitable for constructing buildings. MLA for Sullia Bhagirathi Murulya, Kishore Kumar Puttur, MLC, were present.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Revenue Department instructed to reserve land on Mangaluru outskirts for expansion of Govt. Wenlock Hospital
Minister in charge of Dakshina Kannada, Dinesh Gundu Rao, on Monday instructed the Revenue Department to reserve land on the city outskirts, outside the central business district area, for the expansion of Government Wenlock Hospital, which serves as the district hospital, in the future. Speaking at the Karnataka Development Programme Review Committee meeting, Mr. Rao stated that, as more treatment facilities are being added to Wenlock Hospital and considering the hospital's future expansion, additional land is required. Earlier, Belthgandy MLA Harish Poonja told the meeting that as many buildings have been built on the existing land of the hospital at Hampankatta in the city, the hospital will face a dearth of land for its future expansion. Hence, there is a need to reserve land on the outskirts near any national highway. In response, District Health and Family Welfare Officer H. R. Thimmaiah said that eight acres of land are available near the Government's TB Hospital at Moodushedde. Mr. Poonja urged the Minister to open a dialysis centre and a mortuary at the Government Taluk Hospital in Belthangady. The Minister instructed Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) to complete the draft of the revised Master Plan before the next KDP meeting. Mr. Rao said that either the Revenue Department or the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) should grant land to build anganwadis and health sub-centres within the city.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Illegal extraction of sand, laterite stones won't be allowed in Dakshina Kannada, says Dinesh Gundu Rao
Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Monday that the government will not allow illegal extraction of sand and laterite stones in Dakshina Kannada. Chairing the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme Review Committee meeting, Mr. Rao said that those behind the illegal extraction of sand and laterite stones were found to be involved in communal incidents as well. It may be noted that the recent mob lynching and two murders have disturbed peace in the region. 'We are taking firm action against those involved in the illegal extraction of sand and laterite stones. There is no going back on this decision. However, the government will work out ways to legally allow the extraction of sand and laterite stones,' he said. The Lokayukta has registered two cases, including one suo motu case against 18 officials, in connection with illegal laterite stone extraction, he noted. Senior Geologist G.U. Sandeep said 27,500 tonnes of sand were available in the Department of Mines and Geology's stockyard, and 10,911 metric tonnes of it were purchased in April and May. People can buy sand through the district administration's Sand Bazar app, where three tonnes of sand cost approximately ₹12,000, he said. From the 15 blocks in the non-CRZ area for which permission for sand extraction has been issued, an estimated 3.44 lakh metric tonnes of sand is available. Permission for the extraction of sand from an additional 18 blocks in a non-CRZ area, where an estimated 2.81 lakh metric tonnes of sand is available, will be issued shortly. In 2024-25, 74,650 metric tonnes of sand were sold, while 11,412 metric tonnes were sold between April 2025 and March 31. As much as 1.16 lakh metric tonnes of m-sand was used for various civil works in the district in 2024-25, while 27,034 metric tonnes of m-sand were used in the period between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. From 19 places in patta land for which permission for the extraction of laterite stones was issued, as much as 30,000 metric tonnes of laterite stones have been extracted. Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy said cases have been registered against all those involved in illegal extraction and transportation of sand and laterite stones. 'If they continue with the illegal activity, then they will face serious legal repercussions,' Mr. Reddy said. Superintendent of Police K. Arun said laterite stones extracted in the district were being illegally transported to Maharashtra and Kerala. Moobidri MLA Umanath Kotian, Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja, MLCs Ivan D'souza, Manjunath Bhandary and Kishore Kumar Puttur said action against illegal extraction of sand and laterite stones has led to a shortage of supply of sand and stones for construction activities.
