BENGALURU: If the figures are any indication, illegal sand mining business continues to thrive in the state. On an average, Department of Mines and Geology officials registered 16 cases related to sand mafia daily in Karnataka in the last two years.
As many as 12,318 cases were booked during 2015-16 and 2016-17, reveals the statistics available with Express. These cases were filed in connection with illegal sand mining, transportation, storage and use of filter sands.
During the period, 5,515 FIRs were filed and a sum of `20.26 crore was collected by various offenders.
A senior department official said these are just the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s a multi-crore business. Influential people are involved and it’s not easy for officials to tackle them. Our officials often get threatened and one cannot expect us to fight against those powerful people. Inspite of having many laws to prevent the mafia, it is unfortunate that the illegal sand mining business continues to flourish in the state,” said the department sources.
At some places the illegal miners even steal electricity from the main lines.
“Some steal electricity from the underground itself. They neither take the permission nor pay the royalty. But, who will bell the cat? Those who question them are either assaulted or threatened,” the official said.
“Many power theft cases go unnoticed where department staff are involved,” he added.
The official further said they have identified authorised units and the number of lorries in which they can take sand. But, sometimes, they transport more than permitted.
“On every single extra lorry of filtered sand, they make a profit of `80,000, if they carry about 50 tonnes of sand. They shell out only `10,000 per lorry, including the bribe. One can only imagine the amount of money illegal sand miners would be making in a month,” the official added.
The Deputy Commissioner has the power to levy penalty up to `1 lakh. “That amount is pittance for them,” the official said.