Former minister and senior Congress leader Ramanath Rai said the ongoing shortage of red stone and sand in Dakshina Kannada is not the result of the Congress government’s policies, but a long-standing issue that predates the current administration.
Speaking at a press conference at the Congress office, Rai stressed that people and workers are suffering, and elected representatives have a duty to find solutions instead of pointing fingers.
“This problem existed even under the BJP government,” he noted. “Merely blaming Congress will not help. Elected representatives should engage with senior officials and resolve this.”
Rai said he has already spoken with the in-charge minister and mines department authorities to address the steep royalty rates on red stone, which he described as unfair when compared to Kerala. “In Kerala, the royalty is Rs 32, while here it is Rs 280. This is causing distress among workers and traders,” he explained.
He added that during his previous tenure, he had personally held over 50 meetings in Bengaluru to secure permissions for non-CRZ sand removal, benefiting local traders.
He criticised the current practice of blocking sand blocks without tender, which has worsened the scarcity. While he agreed that action against illegal sand mining was necessary, he emphasised that officials, the district administration, and elected representatives must sit together to resolve the crisis.
“I have also discussed this matter with the Chief Minister and urged immediate action,” Rai said.