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District In-charge Minister Pramod Madhwaraj said that the sand problem will be sorted out by August 1 as the district administration has completed formalities required to fulfill the norms put forth by the Ministry of Forest and Environment.

Addressing the agitators at a protest rally of the district Building and Other Construction Workers’ Association, he said that the district administration has organised a meeting where the forest secretary and environment secretary were present with the CRZ Committee on July 25, which has given the green signal for the sand extraction in CRZ area. There are 28 blocks, which will be sufficient for the district. The sand will be removed and disposed locally.

The minister said that it has been strictly directed to the deputy commissioner to form rules where the sand is not transported to the neighbouring districts. Besides, the labourers from other states would be barred from employment. It is the locals who should be given importance. The fishing vacation ends on July 31. There would be ample sand from August 1 at cheaper price, he said.

Non-CRZ
He said the sand extraction in non-CRZ will not be solved in the near future as the cabinet sub-committee set up for the purpose under the leadership of the minister Jayachandra is embarking upon all possibilities. He said he, along with both Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada district in-charge ministers, is the member of the committee. The officials support the idea of auction of sand extracted in non-CRZ area, however, the ministers are of the opinion that the sand extraction should be given on lease.

He also assured to look into the problem of staff shortage in the Labour department and also would talk with labour minister to fulfill the demands of the labourers on behalf of the labourers.

He said his government is always for Ahinda and would always remain as the voice for the weaker sections. He assured to look into the allegations over the national emblem used as the picture for the carpet at Kanteerava Stadium.