Basavaraj Rayareddy, a senior MLA and the Chief Minister’s economic advisor, has fired a warning at Karnataka’s “sand mafia.” In a letter to CM Siddaramaiah, the MLA called for urgent action to stop the illegal sand trade that is stealing state revenue, especially from Koppal district.
Koppal sits along 85 km of the Tunga‑Bhadra river, where loose sand falls out of the river all year round. Every day, about 100 to 150 trucks haul this sand without permits to cities like Gadag, Ballari, Hubballi, Dharwad, Chitradurga and even Bengaluru. The state misses out on royalties, according to Rayareddy, because the sand is transported illegally.
The public is saying a network of officials from the Department of Mines and Geology is helping the smugglers. Rayareddy says a “sand mafia” of more than 200 people operates across Koppal. He warns that corruption and illegal mining tarnish Karnataka’s reputation and calls for a strong response.
The MLA named specific officials who need to be moved. He pointed to Senior Geologist Puspalata S. Kavaluru, who has worked in Koppal for five months, saying she is under the influence of junior officers and may be involved in illegal mining through family ties. He also accused officer Sukanya Hosamani, who has been in Koppal for five years, of corrupt practices, citing CCTV footage and news reports.
Rayareddy says the state government must immediately stop the truck crews that move loose sand and “jelly stones” to protect its image and revenue. He urges CM Siddaramaiah to transfer the implicated officials and to take firm action against the sand mafia.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
