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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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
