BANGALORE: The cost of one load of sand has astronomically risen to `55,000 following the indefinite stir called by the Federation of Karnataka State Lorry Owners and Agents Associations (FKSLOAA) which is up in arms against the state government demanding a permanent solution to the vexed sand policy.They are firm that their strike would not be called off until the government comes out with a workable solution. Commenting on the rise in cost of sand, secretary of FKSLOAA B V Narayanappa said: “The quality of this sand does not meet industry standards. Even BMRCL has bought low-quality sand. I have complained about this. We are concerned about our interests, so we will go on until our demands are met.”He stated that it is not safe to buy sand right now. “Using low-quality sand, which is available now at large, will hamper the quality of construction.”A day after Principal Secretary of Transport Department Shankar Linge Gowda said that permits would be given on a temporary basis, the federation has rejected this offer, accusing the government of using this as a means to end the strike. “Their temporary solution is only for PWD to give us sand and not for issuing permits. We demand permanent permits and instructions to police officials to not to stop our lorries unnecessarily,” informed president of FKSLOAA G R Shanmugappa. “Why are they offering this when they had assured us of a solution in three months?” ,he questioned. He stated that the federation is open for talks. “Let them take time. They are only shifting batons between PWD and themselves. When we approach PWD, they are vague in replies,” he said. He added that Shankara Linge Gowda was giving oral assurances, nothing on paper.
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