CITU warns of Udupi bandh if sand problem is not solved
Labourers stage protest against sand scarcity in Udupi
Udupi, September 20: District Building and Construction Workers Association (CITU) secretary Balakrishna Shetty warned of calling for Udupi Bandh if the sand problem was not solved immediately.
Addressing the construction workers who staged a protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office here on Thursday against the scarcity of the sand in the district, Shetty said that the district administration has not taken any steps to lift sand from the sand blocks. If the district administration thought about the legal problem, the labourers would not get their livelihood. They could not lead their life without sand. They were not asking luxurious life. But they want minimum requirement for their livelihood, he said.
They submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Vidya Kumari. Association President Shekar Bangera, Honorary President Dayanand Kotian, Leaders Suresh Kallagar, Kaviraj, K. Shankar, Ganesh Nayak, Rama Karkada and others were present. Before the protest, the agitators took out a protest march from Manipal Tiger Circle to DC office.
Demands
The district administration should take steps to provide one unit sand at Rs 2,000.Country-made boats should be allowed to lift sand.Vacant posts in the Labour department should be filled immediately.Pension should be increased to Rs 3,000.Housing loan and subsidy should be given for construction workers to construct houses and purchase sites.PF should be implemented as announced in the 2017 budget.All construction labourers should be given ESI facility.
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Nearly 700 km of Karnataka rivers polluted; cities, towns depend on contaminated water
Shivamogga: A total of 693.75 of river stretches across Karnataka are polluted, and water from several of these rivers is being supplied to towns and cities, the State government informed the Legislative Assembly.
According to a report published by The New Indian Express on Monday, replying to an unstarred question by Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra during the winter session in Belagavi, Forest, Environment and Biodiversity Minister Eshwar Khandre said rivers are classified into five categories, P1 to P5, based on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, with P1 being the most polluted.
He reportedly said untreated domestic wastewater from urban and rural areas is the main reason for river pollution. Arkavati, Lakshana Teertha, Tungabhadra, Bhadra, Tunga, Cauvery, Kabini, Kagina, Krishna, Shimsha, Bheema and Netravati are the polluted rivers and so far, 112 polluted drainages along these rivers have been identified.
Khandre explained that rivers are classified into five pollution categories P1 to P5. The Arkavati River has been placed in the P1 category, while no rivers fall under P2 and P3. Tungabhadra, Bhadra and Shimsha are categorised under P4, and eight other rivers fall under P5.
Khandre allegedly said domestic wastewater from municipalities, towns and villages along riverbeds is being discharged into at least 17 rivers, identified by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the primary cause of river pollution.
According to the report, the minister said drinking water is being supplied from polluted rivers in districts such as Mandya, Ramanagara, Vijayapura and Shivamogga. In parts of Uttara Kannada, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Bagalkot, local bodies are also drawing water from polluted river sources.
In 2022-23, CPCB identified South Pinakini, Aghanashini, Sharavathi and Gangavali rivers too as polluted. But wrote to CPCB, stating that these rivers are not polluted and sought their removal from the list. An action plan is being prepared for the South Pinakini River, he said.
On remedial measures, Khandre reportedly said the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board is setting up sewage treatment plants as per the directions of National Green Tribunal.
As per the report, under 12 river rejuvenation plans, the state generates 817.31 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage. While 41 STPs with a capacity of 614.1 MLD are operational, 203.21 MLD of sewage remains untreated.
Work is underway to establish 19 STPs with a capacity of 248.91 MLD, while 39 more STPs with a combined capacity of 357.92 MLD are in the planning stage. Progress is being monitored and reported regularly to the NGT and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The minister reportedly said the state government gave its approval for underground drainage works worth Rs 535.56 crore in 2021 for 24 cities/towns besides Rs 523.80 crore for nine UGD projects.
