License will be cancelled if sand stock is not cleared within 3 days: Udupi DC
Udupi, Dec 11: Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis warned of cancelling the licenses of the contractors if they have failed to begin the process of clearing the five sand stocks in CRZ limits within next three days.
Speaking to reporters at Manipal on Tuesday, the DC said that out of 61 persons, 45 persons who have been doing sand mining in traditional method before 2011, were eligible. Among them, 37 persons have already paid the fee to get the licenses and five-six persons were given licenses. Even then, they have not started the process of clearing the sand and others were also not coming forward to get licenses. The district administration has been taking steps to give permission for sand mining keeping in mind the legal issues. But some people have created some issues unnecessarily, she said.
Handiwork
Suspecting the handiwork of some vested interests in delaying the clearing process, the DC said that when the contractors were asked, they have said that they have been receiving threatening calls from some people and warned them not to begin the process. Such vested interests have warned those who have already got the licenses not to begin the process till all 170 persons will get the licenses, she added.
The district administration would cancel the licenses of the contractors if they have failed to begin the process. In future, they would not be considered for giving license for sand mining. If needed, she and SP Lakshman Nimbargi would speak to the contractors and provide them police protection. If the contractors would not come forward to lift the sand even then, the administration would permanently cancel their licenses, she said.
Responding to MLA K Raghupathi Bhat’s demand to give fresh licenses to all 170 previous license holders, she said that there was a provision to give licenses only to those who were lifting the sand traditionally before 2011 and documents have to be verified and given the licenses. The district administration would follow all norms strictly while giving licenses. Those who demand licenses to all 170 persons could ask the government directly. The central government has given permission to the state government to take a decision over the issue, the DC clarified.
The Ministry of Forest and Environment has directed the state government to take suitable decision to clear the CRZ sand blocks. Now, over 40,000 tonne of sand is available in the district and it would suffice the demand for government works and public could also get per unit of sand at Rs 518. The tender process for remaining 16 blocks in non-CRZ limits was under verification, the DC said.
When asked about the letter from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the DC said that there was a provision for traditional fishing community to lift the sand. When she took action, some people have questioned her due to which, she had asked the clarification from the Union Ministry. As per the norm, she had planned to give licenses to the families which were lifting the sand in traditional method before 2011. Same process was being followed even in Dakshina Kannada while giving licenses. But none have questioned the decision there, the DC clarified.
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China hits out at Pentagon report alleging bid to weaken US-India ties
Beijing (PTI): China on Thursday denounced a Pentagon report, which accused Beijing of leveraging reduced border tensions with India to undermine US-India ties while deepening defence ties with Pakistan as an attempt to sow discord with false narratives.
"The Pentagon's report distorts China's defence policy, sows discord between China and other countries, and aims at finding a pretext for the US to maintain its military supremacy," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a media briefing here when asked about the US Department of War report submitted to the American Congress.
China firmly opposes the report, Lin said.
Separately, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang denounced the Pentagon report, which also highlighted the cooperation between China and Pakistan in sectors such as defence and space, with plans to set up a military base.
The US releases such reports year after year, grossly interfering in China's internal affairs, Zhang told a separate media briefing.
The US report maliciously misinterpreted China's national defence policy, made unfounded speculations about China's military development, slandering and smearing the normal actions of the Chinese military, he said, declining to directly respond to a question on the report alleging China’s expanding defence and cooperation with Pakistan.
The report is full of erroneous understandings of China and geopolitical biases, exaggerating the so-called "Chinese military threat" to mislead the international community, Zhang said.
"We express our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this,” he said and urged the US to stop fabricating false narratives and provoking confrontation and antagonism.
In his response to the Pentagon report on India-China ties, Lin stated that Beijing views and handles its relations with New Delhi from a strategic height and a long-term perspective.
"We stand ready to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, and properly handle differences with India, and advance a sound and stable bilateral relationship,” he said.
On the references to the Line of Actual Control in the US report, Lin said, “the boundary question is a matter between China and India, and the current border situation between the two countries is generally stable with smooth communication channels”.
“China opposes relevant country’s groundless and irresponsible comments,” he said.
In its annual report to Congress on Tuesday on 'Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2025', the US Department of War said China probably seeks to capitalise from the deescalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India to stabilise bilateral relations and to prevent the deepening of US-India ties.
The report referred to a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in October 2024.
Two days before their meeting, the agreement was to disengage from the remaining standoff sites along the LAC.
The Xi-Modi meeting marked the onset of monthly high-level engagements between the two countries, where parties discussed border management and next steps for the bilateral relationship, including direct flights, visa facilitation, and the exchange of academics and journalists, it said.
"China's leadership has extended the term 'core interest' to cover Taiwan and China's sovereignty claims amid territorial disputes in the South China Sea, the Senkaku Islands, and the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh,” the report said.
It also highlighted the cooperation between China and Pakistan in sectors such as defence and space, adding that Beijing "likely also considered" setting up a base in Pakistan.
It said China is actively considering and planning for additional military facilities. Pakistan is one of the countries where China has likely considered setting up a base, it said.
