Date | Oct 16, 2017:

The department of Mines and Geology has clarified that there is no shortage of sand in Dakshina Kannada district.

The deputy director of Mines and Geology department said that temporary permits have been issued to 41 contractors who are engaged in extracting sand manually in the district. The district administration had invited applications from traditional contractors to extract sand manually from 20 sandbars coming under Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) in the district.

The department had given time till September 24 for the traditional sand contractors to submit documents to prove their experience in extracting sand manually. The process of issuing permits to contractors, who have more than two to three years of experience is being scrutinised. The permits will be issued shortly.

Further, the release said that the department will also take measures to identify communities that extract sand traditionally in non-CRZs in the district. Permits will be issued for them as per the circular issued by the director of Mines and Geology department on September 6, 2017, the deputy director added.

(Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/)