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Bengaluru, October 21 (IANS) Chief Minister’s Economic Advisor and senior MLA Basavaraj Rayareddy has raised his voice against the sand mafia in Karnataka and urged CM Siddaramaiah to take immediate action.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Rayareddy appealed to seriously consider the issue and urged the government to take concrete steps to stop the ongoing loss of revenue in Koppal district.
This development is likely to create controversy in the state.
Rayareddy said that there is more than 85 km stretch of Tunga Bhadra river bank in Koppal district, where large quantity of loose sand is naturally available throughout the year. Every day, around 100 to 150 trucks of this loose sand are being transported illegally without proper documents or permits to Gadag, Ballari, Hubli, Dharwad, Chitradurga and Bengaluru.
He stressed that this illegal transportation is causing significant loss of revenue to the state government in the form of uncollected royalties.
The public has raised concerns about nexus between officials of the Department of Mines and Geology and local authorities, alleging large-scale corruption. Rayareddy claimed that a sand mafia gang of over 200 persons is operating in Koppal district, and the rampant corruption among officials of the department is a matter of public discussion.
He warned that such developments were tarnishing the image of the state government. In light of this, he demanded an immediate ban on illegal transportation of loose sand and jelly stones.
Rayareddy also urged the Chief Minister to transfer corrupt officials of the Mines and Geology Department in Koppal district.
He specifically named senior geologist Pushpalatha S Kavaluru, who has been serving in Koppal for the last five months, alleging that she was working under the influence of junior officers and was not aware of the ground reality. He claimed that reports suggest that he is involved in illegal mining activities through his relatives. In this context, he demanded his transfer to another district.
Similarly, he accused Sukanya Hosamani, an officer posted in Koppal for the last five years, of indulging in corrupt practices. CCTV footage and media reports have reportedly surfaced, which further strengthen the allegations.
Rayareddy said that this situation is a big embarrassment for the state government and urged him to send a strong message by initiating strict action.
–IANS
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