Mangaluru: The district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a protest at the Clock Tower here on Tuesday, criticising the state government over the ongoing scarcity of red stone and sand in Dakshina Kannada. Party leaders accused the government of ignoring the concerns of the district and failing to implement a sustainable solution despite repeated appeals.

BJP alleges neglect by state government

Speaking at the protest, Dakshina Kannada Member of Parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta charged the Congress-led state government with neglecting the needs of the region. “Dinesh Gundu Rao is only a namesake in-charge minister, while Speaker U T Khader is acting as the de facto authority responsible for the issue. Instead of creating a legal framework to regularise the matter, the government has been evasive,” he alleged.

He further stated that the government’s inaction appears deliberate. “It looks like the government is ignoring Dakshina Kannada because the people here are not in favour of the Congress. The government should consult elected representatives and find a resolution. Today’s protest is symbolic, but we will organise larger protests in the future,” Chowta said.

District leaders express dissatisfaction

District BJP president Sathish Kumpala also criticised the state government, saying that despite multiple appeals, the authorities had failed to act. “We have brought this issue to the notice of the chief minister and officials. We even raised our voices in the assembly, yet no solution has been offered. Despite hearing our plea, the chief minister has not acted, and Speaker U T Khader has completely failed in his responsibilities,” he said.

Kumpala reiterated that the scarcity of red stone and sand is affecting both the construction sector and ordinary people in the district, and demanded that the government take urgent steps to address the shortage.

Government’s clarification on policy

In response to the protest, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker and Mangaluru MLA U T Khader told reporters that the state cabinet had already approved a new policy, with the chief minister giving his consent.

“Of the 53 applications received for red stone businesses, 25 applicants have already been granted licences and permits under the new framework. All elected representatives are aware of this development,” Khader said, dismissing allegations of inaction.

He added that the government was working on a structured policy to regularise stone and sand supply in the state, and that necessary approvals had already been processed.

A long-standing concern in Dakshina Kannada

The scarcity of construction materials such as red stone and sand has been a long-standing concern in Dakshina Kannada. Builders, contractors, and homeowners have repeatedly voiced frustration over delays, inflated prices, and disruptions in ongoing projects. Political leaders across parties have raised the issue multiple times in the assembly, but practical solutions have remained elusive.

The problem has been compounded by regulatory hurdles, illegal mining concerns, and environmental restrictions, making the supply chain irregular. While the government’s new framework seeks to bring order to the system by issuing licences and streamlining permits, opposition leaders argue that the process is moving too slowly to provide relief on the ground.

Conclusion

The BJP’s protest at Clock Tower marks the latest political flashpoint in Dakshina Kannada over the scarcity of red stone and sand. While the government claims to have taken corrective measures through a new policy, opposition leaders continue to press for faster and more effective implementation. With both sides holding firm to their positions, the coming weeks may see more agitations as the construction sector and the public wait for tangible relief.