The State Government will come out with a new sand policy, which allows import of sand from Malaysia and Indonesia at cheap rates.

Speaking to press persons here yesterday, Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra said that the Government is contemplating to buy sand from Malaysia and Indonesia at Rs. 12,000 per tonne in the wake of its severe shortage in the State. Pointing out that Maharashtra has been importing sand from these two countries, he said that Karnataka too will follow Maharashtra in order to meet sand requirements of the State.

Stating that the State needs 24 million tonnes of sand annually, Jayachandra said that only about 4 million tonnes of sand is available naturally. Maintaining that sand mining has been wholly prohibited because of rivers and other water bodies going dry, the Minister said that the demands of coastal districts will be taken up before finalising the new policy.

Stressing on the need for promoting M-sand, he said that the State Government will extend all possible help for M-sand production. The Minister further said that a Cabinet Sub-Committee on Tuesday discussed the attack on Udupi DC Priyanka Mary Francis and Assistant Commissioner Shilpa Nag by a gang involved in illegal sand mining.