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.”

1. Vaikundarajan appreciates Rai’s decision
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.”
Vaikundarajan, the Chairman and Managing Director of V. V. Minerals, said that he was surprised by
Rai’s this step. Rai had, in one simple solution, conveyed the message to all the trouble-makers that
unnecessary and baseless allegations will not be entertained by the state. V. V. Minerals is facing
allegations of illegal sand mining since a while now. Vaikundarajan said that he is holding strong
against all the cases and hopes that the other states will take Rai’s example and decide in good faith.
Mr. Rai also added that such issues are surfacing due to the unclear policies. He said, “We are close
to coming out with a policy on sand extraction in non-CRZ areas, which will resolve the issue of
illegal sand mining.”