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Udupi : Traditional Sand Boat Association, Maralu Horata Samiti along with Goods and Tempo Owner’s Association, Udupi have threatened to boycott upcoming Lok Sabha elections for alleged failure of the Union government, state government and Udupi district administration to solve the sand crisis in the district.

Addressing at the press meet at Udupi Press Club here on Wednesday, March 13, Raghavendra Shetty, Organizing secretary of Sand Transporting Lorry and Tempo Owner’s Association that large number of people in the district depends on sand extraction business which connected lorries, tempos, workers and many more. We got permission for sand mining which model code of conduct of the election was declared earlier. The district administration has called for a meeting to discuss the sand related issues at DC office on March 14. The problem is if we do not get appropriate decision in the meeting, our all family members will abstain from voting.

The district administration not responding favourably for the extraction of the sand even though both the Union government and state government tried to solve the problem. In fact, either the district in-charge ministers neither local Member of Parliament keeping mum on the acute sand problems. The district administration not taken action prior to model code of conduct of the election, they said.

It is sorry to say that there is no administration of elected representatives, but it would be administration of district officers’. When we meet the deputy commissioner, she said need time to study about the sand problem. Now, it is too late to study about the sand extraction problem. We spent Rs Rs 20 to 25 lacs for Bethametric survey. If the authorities have doubts about GPS, let them install CCTV cameras in sand extraction areas.

We purchased lorries’ in bank loans. But due to without business of sand, it would be difficult to repay the loan. The earlier DC and present DC told us instead of sand business, give preference to make business in other way. It’s not so easy to make other business with lorries and tempos, he said.

They said it is our fundamental right to vote. But, both the district in-charge minister and MP have done nothing to solve the severe sand crisis. But no way for us instead boycotts the election. It would be better to proceed on the Lokpal probe on Udupi DC by the government. Anyway we need to end the problem, they said.

The atmosphere to vote in the election negative due to many problems faced by the huge community like coolie workers, sand business people, traders etc. Due to the district administration, large number of people oppose to vote and boycott the election, they said.

Sand Transporting Lorry and Tempo Owner’s Association president Praveen Suvarna, Maralu Horata Samithi convener Sathyaraju Birthi, Convener of Maralu Horata Samithi Ansar Ahmed, Katpady Sand Transport Owners Association official Chandra Poojary and other were present during the press meet.