Puttur, July 30, 2025: A high-level BJP delegation from Dakshina Kannada, led by MP Captain Brijesh Chowta, met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, pressing for immediate measures to address the acute shortage of red stone (laterite) and sand in the coastal district. The delegation highlighted how stringent regulations and unscientific policies have crippled construction activities, stalled agricultural works, and severely impacted the local economy.
Crisis Paralyzing Dakshina Kannada Economy
The delegation, which included BJP state secretary Satish Kumpala, district president and several MLCs and MLAs, presented a memorandum highlighting the crisis in the mining sector of Dakshina Kannada. The officials emphasized that the traditional manual extraction of red stone has shifted to mechanical methods due to labor shortages, but is now threatened by strict mining regulations, potentially halting the industry.
Additionally, the state's sand policy has resulted in insufficient supply and escalating costs, causing construction projects to stall. Captain Chowta expressed concerns that this situation is affecting the local economy severely, with thousands of workers and their families facing hardships.
The group called for a reform in the regulatory framework governing red stone mining, which is crucial for the coastal and Malnad regions' construction and agricultural sectors. They accused the Mines and Geology Department of imposing unnecessary hurdles and enabling alleged corruption. Furthermore, they demanded a reduction in royalty rates from the current ₹290 per ton to 10% per ton, drawing a comparison to the lower rates in Kerala (at ₹32 per ton), and advocated for a more straightforward licensing process to alleviate the burden on these vital industries.
Call for Coastal-Specific Sand Policy
On the pressing matter of sand scarcity, a delegation has strongly advocated for the Karnataka government to establish a tailored sand policy exclusively for coastal regions, recognizing the unique extraction techniques employed there versus the rest of the state. In a memorandum presented, they underscored the necessity for simplified regulations, equitable sand pricing, and granting local authorities the power to issue permits for extracting sand from rivers and streams within their jurisdiction.
The document critiqued the existing policy as "unscientific and burdensome," suggesting that it leads to exorbitant costs for the general public. To address these concerns, the delegation proposed the formation of taluk-level sand management committees to oversee and regulate legal sand mining operations effectively.
Highlighting the urgency, BJP leaders asserted that a resolution is vital for rejuvenating the economy of Dakshina Kannada and safeguarding the livelihoods of its inhabitants. While the government has not offered an official response, it is anticipated that the topic will be tabled in forthcoming policy discussions.
Key Demands by BJP Delegation to Karnataka CM on Red Stone and Sand Crisis in Dakshina Kannada
Red Stone (Laterite) Related:- Remove red stone quarrying from Mines and Geology Department’s jurisdiction to eliminate restrictive regulations.
- Simplify licensing process for red stone extraction to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
- Reduce royalty on red stone from ₹290 per ton to 10% per ton, aligning closer to Kerala’s ₹32 per ton.
- Resume stalled red stone quarry license distribution immediately.
- Curb alleged extortion by police, revenue, and mining officials through simplified regulations.
- Introduce a separate sand policy for coastal districts due to distinct extraction methods.
- Simplify regulations for sand mining and transportation to ensure affordability.
- Allow local administrations to issue permits for extracting naturally available sand from rivers, streams, and creeks.
- Establish taluk-level sand management committees to identify and regulate legal sand mining areas.
- Ensure affordable sand prices for common people to support construction and economic activities.
Keywords: Dakshina Kannada, red stone shortage, sand crisis, BJP Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, coastal Karnataka, mining policy, construction halt, economic impact, simplified regulations