B. Ramanath Rai, Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, ruled out any involvement of members of political parties in illegal sand mining in Dakshina Kannada. Mr. Rai boldly dismissed the allegations in a matter of fact way by sayng, “I cannot accept bland statements that the sand mafia is active here. If there are any political party workers involved in illegal sand mining, provide specific details about the person. Action will certainly be taken against them. The party men who are engaged in sand mining are those who have been doing so for over several years now with authorised permits.”