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Udupi: The Udupi Block Congress Committee has called for an appropriate probe against the ongoing illegal sand dredging from the Swarna River near Heriyadka to the Baje Dam area.

Addressing a press meet at Udupi Press Club here on Wednesday, May 27, Udupi Block Congress President Sathish Amin Padukere said that illegally the contract has given to Mangaluru based contractor to sand dredging from Swarna River and as per the tender, under the ADC committee has been formed to sand dredging. But, Committee president, members, other officials with the support of influenced persons like some elected representatives, from Baje dam to Mane and Mane to Shiroor dredging have been undertaken with illegally, he alleged.

He alleged that with taking the advantage of lockdown, illegal sand dumping is taking place. Illegal sand mining is widespread and the corrupt members of the committee fail to perform their duties. He also alleged that Deputy Commissioner or any other officer no action has been taken against it.

It is therefore necessary to conduct a proper investigation into this illegal activity and take legal action against corrupt contractors and their accomplices, representatives and other influential persons. He said a complaint has already been lodged with the Lokayukta and the ACB demanding appropriate legal action to seize the illegally collected sand, he said.

Ramesh Kanchan, member of Udupi City Municipal Council said that the 14 members of the committee  have stole more than 1000 to 1500 sand units from the said river and it had done illegally with taking advantage of present lockdown. The tender was awarded to a blacklisted planning company, and dam’s dredging legal system was up to the air. The sand has been illegally stockpiled in the forests of Heriyadka range. Despite complaining to the Udupi district collector about the huge multi-crore irregularity, no action has been taken. MLA Raghupati Bhatt and Lalaji Mendon should answer immediately, he said.

Therefore, Ramesh Kanchan said that complaint has been lodged with Lokayuka and ACB to take action against the persons who indulged in illegal sand mining, he said.

Udupi CMC member Vijaya Poojary, Udupi Legislative assembly constituency Youth Congress President Prashanth Poojary and Block Congress Secretary Janardhan Bhandarkar were present during the press meet.