The government is planning to invoke provisions of the Goonda Act to book cases against those involved in illegal extraction and transportation of sand in the State.
In his reply to the Opposition’s charge that illegal sand extraction was rampant in the State, Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that the government was planning to book cases under the Act against all those involved in illegal extraction and transportation of sand.
A few months ago, the government had decided to issue special security paper permits (SSPP) for transportation of sand by lorries to check illegal transportation. “We don’t entertain illegal activities. We will book cases under the Goonda Act,” he said, and dismissed a charge that his son was encouraging illegal sand extraction in Mysore.
The Minister said the government would not tolerate illegal extraction of sand by the “sand mafia” in different parts of the State.
Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar, R. Ashok (BJP), Janata Dal (S) floor leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, G.T. Patil (Congress) and several other members participated in a debate over the issue of illegal sand extraction. They alleged that rampant extraction and transportation of sand led to destruction of waterbodies and depletion of groundwater. Mr. Shettar said the illegal filter sand manufacturing was rampant in Anekal, Yadgir, Dharwad and other parts of the State.
(The Hindu)
