Karnataka likely to ban export of sand to Kerala and Goa

Goa is expected to face acute shortage of sand in coming days, as Karnataka government is expected to stop export of sand to Goa and Kerala.
The issue was widely debated in the ongoing Winter Session of Karnataka State Legislature in Belgaum on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has stated that a new Sand Policy will be in place soon, where sand export ban will be discussed. The issue may further worsen as illegal transportation and mining of sand will be now considered as the cognizable offence.
Raising his objections to export of sand to Goa, former Karnataka chief minister and Karnataka Janata Party Supremo BS Yeddyurappa had raised the issue on the floor of Karnataka Assembly late Tuesday evening. “Export of sand to Goa and Kerala should be immediately stopped,” he had demanded.
Replying to the objections, Siddaramaiah stated that government will implement the ‘New Sand Policy’ with immediate effect, where exporting of sand to states outside Karnataka would be banned and use of manufactured sand will be also implemented at the earliest.
“A notification in this regard has been already issued and the issue will be sorted out within next fortnight,” he assured. However, the new policy cannot be formed as at least a month’s time will be required for filing of the objections after the notification is issued.
It may be recalled that cases of illegal sand transportation from Khanapur taluka to Goa were on the rise. Karnataka police registered many cases in this regard. The new sand policy by Karnataka is expected to further check the illegal transportation of sand to Goa.

Source: Herald Goa

Sand transporters need aid, not mining truck drivers – UGDP

MARGAO: United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) vice-president Radharao Gracias criticized the move by the chief minister ManoharParrikar to give a financial package to mining truck drivers, who he said did not deserve the same for their part in illegal mining. He also said that instead, a financial package should be given to the truck owners who would transport sand.
Gracias, while pointing out that only in Goa do you find the rate of sand to be higher than that of cement, demanded that the government bring sand prices to a reasonable level. He pointed out that given the fact that sand mining had been banned in the state, and Karnataka government not permitting transport of sand, the truck drivers who were usually involved in transporting sand from Pernem to other places in Goa and Karwar and other areas were left unemployed.
He further ridiculed Parrikar’s decision to give out financial packages to mining truck owners and said that not only were they part of the illegal mining, but that they were involved in ‘big businesses’ which saw them earn more than enough income and thus they could not be in dire need of the financial package.
He said that the sand mining truck owners who lived in various villages in Goa have been rendered jobless and the government should address their genuine grievances.