TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Up in arms over illegal import of sand from across the borders, sand suppliers from South Goa have accused RTO and police officials for turning a blind eye to the illegal import of sand into the state when there’s a ban on sand mining in Goa. A meeting of the South Goa Sand Suppliers Association held at Panzorcone-Cuncolim on Wednesday evening has threatened to intensify their agitation. They have vowed to stop all sand trucks coming into Goa from Karnataka via Chorla Ghat, even as they caught red handed a truck at Margao which had imported sand from across the border.
After the meeting, President of the Association Devdutt Bandekar said a delegation will call on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar soon with their grievances. “If we don’t get justice from the government, we will be forced to intensify our agitation. We now plan to stop all sand transporting trucks coming into Goa via Chorla Ghat,” Bandekar said.
He demanded to know why there’s a ban on sand mining in Goa, while sand mining activity is going on unabated in neighbouring Karnataka. “Has the National Green Tribunal no jurisdiction over Karnataka? Are Tribunal’s order only applicable to Goa?” he demanded to know.
Bandekar said the Association on Wednesday caught red handed a truck laden with sand at Margao, but lamented that the RTO has failed to take cognisance of the illegality on grounds that they do not want to get involved in the controversy. “A truck from Karnataka today is charging Rs 25,000 when it costs them hardly Rs 7,000. This sand is being used by the builders lobby. The government should take a close look at the issue,” Bandekar demanded.
“A truck from Karnataka today is charging Rs 25,000 when it costs them hardly Rs 7,000. This sand is being used by the builders lobby. The government should take a close look at the issue,” Devdutt Bandekar demanded
