Congress leader and MLC Ivan D’Souza has held deputy commissioners responsible for the sand crisis which has hit both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
D’Souza told media persons that the government has done what it has to do. The deputy commissioners had promised to end the sand crisis before October 15, he said.
The MLC also offered to buy sand for anyone who needs sand. “I know some contractors who will supply sand to me at unearthly hours at an exorbitant price of Rs 12,000 per truckload. I want the district administration to ensure that the sand is supplied to poor at a price of Rs 3,000 per truckload,” he said.
D’Souza added that selling sand in open market like earlier is the only solution for sand crisis.
He said all construction works have come to a grinding halt and many people do not have jobs due to the sand crisis.
D’Souza emphasised that the time is ideal for helping poor get their required quota of sand.
“If you do not give sand now, it will be useless in March or April due to water scarcity,” he said and urged the deputy commissioners not to test the patience of the public.
D’Souza, countering Opposition leader in Legislative Council Kota Srinivas Poojary’s criticism against the coalition government, accused the BJP of creating the sand crisis.