Karnataka Government today asked the agitating sand transporters to follow the new sand mining policy and promised action against sand mafia.
"All the agitating sand transporters should follow the new policy. The government will take action against sand mafia," Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra told reporters here after a cabinet meeting.
Members of the Federation of the Karnataka Lorry Owners' Association have been on an indefinite strike for the past 14 days while the sand price has touched Rs 80,000 mark for a truckload.
The Minister said, "Sand mining is posing environmental concerns. We will not heed to the sand transporters demand of unlimited sand extraction, which is unbearable."
The transporters federation had alleged the new policy is an attempt to foster smuggling of sand to Kerala and Goa, among other states.
The federation also demanded a comprehensive policy to ensure "legal transportation of sand", besides monthly permits to truck operators so that sand transported legally is not seized and illegal transportation is checked.
