Udupi, September 16: “Though the Chief Minister and myself have directed the deputy commissioner to take action to solve sand problem in the district, no action was taken. I would ask the officer once again. Not only the opposition parties, but the time has come for everyone to stage protest”, said District In-charge Minister Jayamala.

After holding a discussion with Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council Kota Srinivas Poojary and MLA Raghupathi Bhat on sand issue at the Circuit House here on Sunday, the Minister said that sand problem was a common issue and irrespective of any party or cadre, everyone should think about it. Not only the opposition parties, but the ruling parties should also take the side of the people. So, the district administration should immediately allow the sand mining in the district, she said.

Even she has been asking the Deputy Commissioner about the delay in beginning the sand mining in the district. Both the opposition party and ruling party have asked the authorities to take steps. But nothing was done. She does not know as to why the district administration has been dilly-dallying in the issue, she added.

When asked about the survey being conducted by Kundapura AC, the Minister said that that survey was not proper as there was no norm. The district administration has created a new norm. By the time they complete the survey, another rainy season would come. So, the district administration should not play with the emotions of the people and issue order to start sand mining immediately, she demanded.

About the supply of sand from neighbouring districts, she said that the district authorities have to calculate the availability of sand and the demand in the district and how much sand could be extracted from the quarries. If the district got the sufficient sand here, there was no need to get the sand from other districts. If there was scarcity, then the sand could be brought from neighbouring districts, she said.

MLA warns overnight protest

The district administration should write to NITK to conduct survey on September 17 to identify the sand blocks. In turn, the NITK should conduct the survey by September 19. Otherwise, all MLAs, irrespective of political parties, would stage overnight protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office from September 20, MLA Raghupathi Bhat warned.

The Chief Minister, during his recent visit to the district, has directed the deputy commissioner to write to the NITK to conduct survey. But the deputy commissioner has not taken any action even after 10 days. Meanwhile, the DC has directed Kundapur AC to conduct the survey. This was a systematic conspiracy to avoid the sand mining in the district, he alleged.

Kota Srinivas Poojary, BJP district president Mattaru Rathnakar Hegde and others were present.

 

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Guwahati (PTI): Blistering fifties by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Dhruv Jurel powered Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL match here on Friday.

Sent in to bat, RCB rode on a fighting half-century by skipper Rajat Patidar (63) to post 201 for 8.

Virat Kohli (32), Romario Shepherd (22) and Venkatesh Iyer (29) also chipped in with useful contributions.

In reply, Sooryavanshi (78 off 26 balls) and Dhruv Jurel (81 not out off 43 balls) shared a 37-ball 108-run partnership for the second wicket to set the platform. Krunal Pandya (2/30) tried to bring them back with back-to-back wickets.

But Jurel, in the company of Ravindra Jadeja (24), completed the task with another 68-run stand, with two overs to spare.

For RR, Jofra Archer (2/33), Ravi Bishnoi (2/32) and Brijesh Sharma (2/37) took two wickets.

Brief scores:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 201 for 8 in 20 overs (Rajat Patidar 63; Jofra Archer 2/33, Ravi Bishnoi 2/32, Brijesh Sharma 2/37).

Rajasthan Royals: 202 for 4 in 18 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 78, Dhruv Jurel 80 not out; Krunal Pandya 2/30, Josh Hazlewood 2/44).