Manual sand mining in 18 blocks of CRZ areas allowed

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Feb 10, 2015:  At a press meet on Feb 9,  Deputy Commissioner R Vishal said 18 sand blocks in CRZ areas have been approved for traditional manual sand mining in the district. He said the district administration had recived 19 proposals for sand blocks in the district. Of which, 18 has been approved.

No clearance has been given for sand blocks coming under non-CRZ area. The traditional manual mining is the utmost concern and license is being issued by the senior geologist. Priority is given to traditional manual sand mining communities.

The community men have certain demand which includes increase in the tonnage, which has been approved. They demanded four installment royalties, for which the district administration has approved three installment royalty.

The sand miners had demanded permission for ten wheel trucks for the transportation of sand. However the permission has been granted for only six-wheel trucks.

RTA meeting:  On RTA meeting and bus fare revision, Udupi DC said RTA meeting would be held on February 23, wherein the issue pertaining to bus fare revision would be discussed. On the delay in the work on Varahi irrigation project, he said land acquisition is being taken up. Initially land acquisition for ten hectare is being worked out. A proposal is being sent to government requesting the government to make Deputy Commissioner as head of coordination committee. Assistant Commissioner is monitoring the impending works.

The Deputy Commissioner also said he would hold meeting with coal-based Udupi Power Corporation Limit (UPCL) thermal power project and national highway authorities and PWD Executive Engineer over issues of fly ashes, traffic, sign boards and other NH regulations. The fly ash is posing a serious threat in the power project area. The district administration would adhere to the rules and the company should compulsory follow the rules.

A cement factory would come up at Nandikur. All other possibilities of using fly ashes would be explored.

Elaborating on the structure of sign boards on the national highway, the DC added that the national highway authorities would be convinced to consider the structural strength of the bridges that is already built. The weight bearing capacity of the bridges should be tested. He said additional funds for the rehabilitation package for Maoist affected areas have not been released.

However the district administration is committed to clear the pending bills. Avehicle would be sanctioned to the doctor serving in Vandse PHC and another vehicle for the doctor working in Perdur mobile tribal unit.

Koraga community: Regarding  Koraga community are in need of all round development, the DC said the issues on Koraga community would be handled swiftly and effectively. The funds earmarked for the Koraga community under Integrated Tribal Development Programme would be utilised judiciously.

Land in Kumbhashi, Kota and Mudhur is being brought into panchayat jurisdiction and later title deeds would be given to the concerned Koraga community persons.

As many as 40 lakh is being released for providing housing facilities to the Koraga community members. The deputy commissioner said as many as eight out of 30 Gram Karniks selected recently are from Udupi.