Karnataka - Bangalore   

Task force set up to curb illegal activity

BANGALORE: The release of CDs on illegal sand filtration in Bangalore Rural district by the Lokayukta on Friday has had its effect with the district administration announcing the formation of a task force to curb the illegal activity, besides issuing show-cause notices to 19 village accountants in Devanahalli taluk for not reporting the illegal activity.

Disclosing this to presspersons, M.A. Sadiq, in-charge Deputy Commissioner of Bangalore Rural, said the task force comprising officials drawn from different departments would conduct raids from next week on the illegal sand filtration sites that have been identified. On the village accountants being issued show-cause notice, Mr. Sadiq said: “Every one has to reply to the notice within 24 hours.” Officials could not turn a blind eye to the illegal activity in their jurisdiction, he added.

It is learnt that around 154 persons are involved in sand filtration in 19 villages of Kundana hobli, bordering Doddaballapur, and the activity is spread over an area of around 600 acres. While sand mined from river beds cost around Rs. 16,000 a load, filtered sand is available for around Rs. 8,000.

Stating that the construction boom in Bangalore was the prime reason for the illegal sand mining industry, Mr. Sadiq said: “Bangalore receives around 2,000 loads of sand every day from legal mines as against the demand for around 3,000 loads a day.” The shortfall is being filled by sand filtration method in agricultural land, which is of poor quality, he added.

Besides, senior officials felt that the sand filtration could have increased in Bangalore Rural as sand mining in several areas, including Channapatna, Chintamani and other places have been banned, creating a shortfall.

Elaborating on the legal provisions to curb illegal mining, Mr. Sadiq said that the culprits involved in illegal mining could be booked under Mines and Minerals Act, Land Revenue Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC), and that those involved in these activities were liable to be imprisoned for one year. “We will arrest whoever is in the sand mining site and seize equipment, and the raids would start from next week,” he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

She is the new rage of Bollywood
New property tax scheme condemned
No clue, say Patil, Dharam Singh
Vatal seeks help for theatre artistes
Varsities urged to play greater role in farming
‘SMEs must lower costs, improve quality’
Air Chief takes a Dhruv flight
Teachers deputed to revise electoral rolls
Farmers’ plight being ignored: Patil
Rameshwar Thakur urges media to shun sensationalism
Decision on pleas against JD(S) MLAs unlikely now
Diploma students allowed to write examination High court round-up
Lecture
Librarian caught
UAS scientist develops first drought tolerant rice
‘Violation of building bylaws in quake-prone areas is ruinous’
Five get life term in bus burning case
Court for panel to monitor rehabilitation of acid victims
Celebrating diverse cultural expressions is Admit One
Of mercury dips and chapped lips
This one is for science lovers
Cryogenic stage: ISRO achieves significant milestone
She is the new rage of Bollywood
‘Organ transplant system more organised in U.S.’
Officials turning hostile to face the music
Don’t use ‘filter’ sand for construction: Lokayukta
Task force set up to curb illegal activity
CVS introduction as per law, says Subramanya
Single nodal agency for child abuse victims mooted
Builder’s offices raided
‘Paper not exempt from ToT’
‘Chanda’ opens today even as row rages
Power shutdown in some areas of the city
A woman’s ultimate sacrifice Crime notes
Auction fetches Rs. 6.3 crore
Tribunal judges draw praise
In Bangalore Today

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu