This incident occurred in Belagumpa village in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district in Karnataka, where 23-year-old Sridhar Navalkar died on April 7. The family of the deceased and members of Koli-Kabbaliga Samanvaya Samiti have accused the district administration of failing to prevent illegal sand mining in the area.
Allegations Against Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge
- Members of Koli-Kabbaliga Samanvaya Samiti have alleged that the district administration failed to check illegal sand mining in Belagumpa village.
- The Samiti has accused Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge, who represents Chittapur constituency, of turning a blind eye to sand extraction.
- According to Samiti member Avvanna Myakeri, officials in the mining department seem helpless in taking action against the culprits.
Avvanna Myakeri, a Samiti member, stated that illegal sand mining has been carried out under the nose of district authorities for a long time. The minister, who reacts to every issue immediately, has maintained silence on the issue. Mr. Myakeri urged Mr. Kharge to take action against the culprits with an iron fist.
Consequences of Illegal Sand Mining
| Consequences of Illegal Sand Mining | Effects on the Environment | Effects on the Community |
|---|---|---|
| Nearly 1,000 trips are carried out every day without payment of royalty to the State exchequer. | Sand extractors had dug up the riverbed for as deep as 50 feet over a seven kilometre stretch in Bagodi village. | Thousands of trees have been felled, and the natural beauty of the area has been destroyed. |
| 1,000 trips are carried out every day, leading to massive damage to the environment. | It also results in the displacement of local communities who depend on the river for their livelihood. |
Avvanna Myakeri stated that the illegal lifting of sand by influential persons has been going on for a long time. He added that sand extractors had dug up the riverbed for as deep as 50 feet over a seven kilometre stretch in Bagodi village.
Demands Made by the Samiti
- The Samiti demanded ₹1 crore compensation and a government job to the kin of the deceased.
- They also urged the district administration to take necessary action against the culprits.
- Moreover, the Samiti demanded that the district administration should ensure that the sand mining activities are carried out in a sustainable manner.
Mr. Myakeri said that a person, identified as Yellaling Pujari, tried to suppress news of the death by offering ₹10 lakh to the bereaved family on the spot. The Samiti member also alleged that the district authorities are turning a blind eye to the issue.
Call for Action
Avvanna Myakeri urged Mr. Kharge to curb illegal sand mining with an iron fist and take action against the culprits. He emphasized that the district administration should not turn a blind eye to the issue.
“Mr. Kharge reacts to every issue immediately, but he is maintaining silence on the illegal sand mining in his constituency,” Mr Myakeri alleged. He urged the minister to take action against the culprits and ensure that the sand mining activities are carried out in a sustainable manner.
“Sand extractors had dug up the riverbed for as deep as 50 feet over a seven kilometre stretch in Bagodi village. This is a clear case of environmental degradation and illegal sand mining,” he added.
Avvanna Myakeri stated that the district administration is aware of the issue, but it is not taking necessary action to curb it. He also emphasized that the district authorities should not turn a blind eye to the issue.
“I urge the district administration to take necessary action against the culprits and ensure that the sand mining activities are carried out in a sustainable manner. I also urge the district authorities to compensate the kin of the deceased with ₹1 crore.
“The district authorities should not turn a blind eye to the issue. They should take necessary action to curb illegal sand mining and ensure that the sand mining activities are carried out in a sustainable manner,” Avvanna Myakeri emphasized.
Quoted Statement
“The district authorities are aware of the issue, but they are not taking necessary action to curb it. I urge them to take necessary action against the culprits and ensure that the sand mining activities are carried out in a sustainable manner.” – Avvanna Myakeri
Avvanna Myakeri, a member of Koli-Kabbaliga Samanvaya Samiti, addressed mediapersons in Kalaburagi on April 9.
