Udupi: Traditional Sand Boat Association, Maralu Horata Samiti along with Goods and Tempo Owner’s Association, Udupi have threatened to boycott upcoming Lok Sabha elections for alleged failure of the Union government, state government and Udupi district administration to solve the sand crisis in the district.
Addressing at the press meet at Udupi Press Club here on Wednesday, March 13, Raghavendra Shetty, Organizing secretary of Sand Transporting Lorry and Tempo Owner’s Association said that large number of people in the district depend on sand extraction business and uncertainty surrounding this business has already left many families in lurch.
“The district administration has called for a meeting on March 14. If the problems of our business is not solved in this meeting, then we will boycott voting,” he said adding that from an outset, it looks like, despite the central and the state governments trying to solve the crisis, the district administration has not been showing the will to set right the issues.
“When we met the new DC, she said she needs time to study the issue. With Model Code of Conduct in place, no actions can be taken by the district administration now. We have purchased lorries and equipment on boank loan. With prevailing conditions, we are unable even to clear our interest amount,” ‘he said adding that out of desperation they have decided to boycott the polls.
Sand Transporting Lorry and Tempo Owner’s Association president Praveen Suvarna, Maralu Horata Samithi convener Sathyaraju Birthi, Convener of Maralu Horata Samithi Ansar Ahmed, Katpady Sand Transport Owners Association official Chandra Poojary and other were present during the press meet.
