Mangaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will stage a dharna in front of the Mini Vidhana Soudha on September 16, protesting what it calls the State government’s failure to address the shortage of laterite stones in Dakshina Kannada.
Protest details
BJP state secretary and Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta said the demonstration will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. He alleged that the government’s restrictions have halted laterite stone extraction, pushing labourers and transporters into distress.
Allegations against government
Chowta pointed out that despite multiple meetings and assurances in the Assembly to ease Department of Mines and Geology rules, no concrete decision has been taken.
“The government is misleading people with false promises. The BJP will hit the streets against this anti-labour and anti-people move,” he said.
Background
Laterite stone is widely used in construction across Dakshina Kannada, and the halt in quarrying has reportedly affected employment and the local economy. The BJP’s protest is expected to put fresh pressure on the government to revisit mining regulations.