The Hindu : Ban on sand-mining not now: Minister

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Ban on sand-mining not now: Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MARCH 27. A decision on banning sand-mining from the two major rivers in the district will be taken only after considering the impact of such a ban on the construction industry and the workforce which is employed in it, said the Minister for Water Resources, T. M. Jacob, here today.

Addressing a meeting convened here to review the drought relief measures introduced in the district a week ago, the Minister said the State Government was thinking in terms of finding long-term alternative to sand in construction and that opinion of all sections of society would be heard before a decision was arrived at.

One of the big reasons for the current shortage of water in the rivers was continuing sand-mining and that no new `kadavu' would be permitted during the coming months.

The meeting, held at the district collectorate at Kakkanad, was attended by MLAs in the district, the District Collector, Gyanesh Kumar, and officials from various departments.

Twenty-eight Government buildings in the district will immediately set up rainwater harvesting facilities as a long-term measure for meeting water shortage. The Kakkanad civil station, RDO offices and taluk offices will have rainwater-harvesting facilities, it was decided.

Mr. Jacob instructed officials from the Department of Agriculture to assess the amount of crop damaged due to the drought-like situation in the district and to make sure that the assessments were submitted before the end of this month.

The meeting decided to improve the supply of drinking water through tanker lorries in various parts of the district. Several complaints were raised about the frequency and the actual quantity of water being supplied in various panchayats through tanker lorries.

It was decided that officer at the pumping station, ward member of the panchayat or the panchayat secretary and the village officer should sign the forms related to the supply of water through tanker lorries. The tahsildars will make payments for the bill only if the panchayat presidents concerned seal and sign these papers, the Minister said.

The meeting also decided to cut short the process of tendering supply of drinking water and to finalise all contracts within a week.

Angamaly area of the district has recorded the highest crop loss due to the drought-like situation and sufficient number of agriculture officials has been appointed for the area.

The MLAs from various parts of the district have been authorised to convene meetings to discuss and find solutions to the continuing shortage of water.

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