Bengaluru: Home minister G Parameshwara Tuesday told the legislative assembly that “big people from all parties” were involved in illegal sand mining in Karnataka and it is a “big racket” that is “embarrassing” the govt. He was replying to Devadurga’s Karemma Nayak of JD(S), who said she was followed and threatened by sand mafia operatives for attempting to end illegal sand mining along Krishna River in Raichur district. “I have not shared details of who is involved and who the leader is. It is a big racket. Big people from all parties are involved… It is embarrassing,” Parameshwara said. He said he would soon convene a meeting to decide how police should tackle the issue. “We will not show mercy. I will consult legislators from the district before taking a decision,” he added. Raising the issue with “a lot of pain”, Karemma said illegal sand mining continued unabated in her constituency despite repeated complaints. “I’ve been fighting to stop illegal sand mining, but it has not been possible… Sand is illegally mined during the night from Krishna River and transported using JCBs (earth movers) and tippers. I get lots of complaints from farmers since mining covers their crops in dust,” she said. Revealing that she received threats at her residence, Karemma said, “I’m a woman. What action is the govt to prevent such things. Those who threatened me also did so at a press conference where two police personnel were present. It should stop.” She said local demand for sand was high, and the govt had floated tenders for extraction and supply, but bids were not opened. “Big hands are behind it as illegal mining means money. It results in a loss of royalty for the govt,” she said. Parameshwara admitted illegal sand mining was not limited to Devadurga but was happening across the state. Referring to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, he said a committee comprising officials, including deputy commissioners and police, were tasked with taking action. “When a complaint is filed, police act on it,” he said, adding a separate sand task force was also in place. “Sometimes there are lapses. I will ensure they work properly. There is no question of compromising on this issue.” Assuring protection, he said, “Not just Devadurga, but the govt is committed to protecting all legislators from perpetrators. We have taken note of the menace in Devadurga and deployed a special sand task force. We have booked as many as 342 matka cases and 199 gambling cases.” In Oct last year, Basavaraj Rayareddi, CM Siddaramaiah’s economic adviser accused officials of shielding the sand mafia, alleging the state was losing over Rs 400 crore annually in royalty. In a letter to the CM, Rayareddi said corrupt officials and the mafia were together plundering natural resources and questioned why sand royalty could not be collected as efficiently as income tax or GST. He also alleged routine bribery in the mines and geology department and police, rampant illegal sand transport from Koppal, and sought transfers of long-serving officials. He also flagged illegal granite mining in several areas.
