Tackle sand shortage: Kagodu Thimmappa to officials

SHIVAMOGGA: Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa instructed officers here on Friday to resolve the problems pertaining to supply of sand immediately.

Presiding over a progress review meeting at the zilla panchayat hall, the Minister said that customers should get sand at affordable rates. “One cannot eat sand. Action should be initiated to ensure supply of sand at fair prices. Though there are obstacles in the system, house builders should get sand on priority,” he noted. Speaking at the meeting, an officer of the mines and geology department, Ms Vindhya said that action had been initiated to issue sand through open tender process as per the old system in August. But still the guidelines for distribution of sand as per the new system had not been circulated.  

She said that as per the new system, permit would be given to lift sand in Hosanagar, Shivamogga, Bhadravati and Tirthahalli taluks.  Already nine blocks have been identified in these taluks to lift sand.