Legislators study team formed on sand mining

Facing flak for its alleged inaction against the menace of illegal sand mining, Karnataka government today announced the formation of a study team, comprising members of the legislative assembly, to look into the problem and suggest ways to curb it.
"Keeping in view the concerns of the members raised against illegal sand mining in the state, the government, as per the Chief Minister's direction, has decided to constitute a study team to go into the matter and give suggestions to it on ways to tackle the issue," Law and Parliamentary Minister T B Jayachandra said in the Assembly here.
Responding to the demand by JDS Floor Leader H D Kumaraswamy, Jayachandra announced a CID probe into illegal transportation of sand from T Narasipura in Karnataka to the border areas of Kerala.

Raising the issue, Kumaraswamy alleged that there was rampant illegal transportation of sand from T Narasipura to border areas of Kerala and voiced suspicion about the alleged involvement of PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa.
"The government has failed to check illegal transportation of sand from T Narasipura to Kerala borders. It is astonishing to know that the checkposts situated in Karnataka do not enter lorry numbers but gets mentioned in Kerala checkposts. I have documents with me to prove the illegal transportation of sand," he said.
"Such gross discrepancies are not possible without the patronage of the PWD Minister," Kumaraswamy alleged.