See: http://bharatkalyan97.blogspot.in/2013/08/thorium-beach-sands-illegal-mining.html Thorium beach sands: illegal mining along India's coastline. SoniaG UPA, stop the loot of nation's wealth
Now, illegal beach sand mining in TN
shivani chaturvedi
chaturvedishivni@gmail.com
Chennai, 13 August
Years of illegal sand mining on beaches in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin, Tirunelvelli and Kanyakumari districts is affecting ecology, marine life and the entire coastal community.
Besides, the large scale illicit mining of rare precious minerals in these three coastal districts have caused a loss of Rs 96,120 crore to the government, reveals a letter written by the first District Collector of un-bifurcated Tirunelveli, Mr V Sundaram, to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu in January 2013.
The letter accuses that a gigantic loot of rare precious minerals has been done by M/s VV Minerals and their sister concerns owned by Mr Vaikundarajan. Mr Sundaram said as per his estimates, the loot is worth Rs. 96,120 crore.
Despite writing letters and complaining about the loot, the Tamil Nadu government has not take any action, he further said.
The letter also accuses the state’s departments of favouring VV Minerals, saying the mining lease was given to them within 72 days, while the other companies are still waiting for permission.
Mr Sundaram, a retired bureaucrat, said an RTI response shows that VV Minerals enjoyed 100 per cent monopoly in ilmenite mining and also had a giant share for exploiting garnet ~ both export favourites.
A sand mafia is operating in the three coastal districts of Tamil Nadu with impunity right under the nose of the Tamil Nadu government. Mr Vaikundarajan is allegedly “running the show” for about two decades now, but the authorities concerned have failed to check the menace.
According to sources, Mr Vaikundarajan’s political clout is protecting him from the law.
He is a businessman with political connections in high places. He has even been getting awards for export of banned items, add sources.
It is only of late that the government banned mining operations in Tuticorin district.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa constituted special teams recently in the wake of violations in beach mining after former Tuticorin Collector Ashish Kumar launched a crackdown on illegal activities on 6 August.
However, Tuticorin collector was controversially transferred just a day after the crackdown.
The government had ordered suspension of sand mining from 9 August to ensure smooth conduct of inspection.
Special teams led by Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi yesterday began inspection of mining lease areas along the coastline.
http://www.thestatesman.net/news/10233-now-illegal-beach-sand-mining-in-tn.html
Now, illegal beach sand mining in TN
shivani chaturvedi
chaturvedishivni@gmail.com
Chennai, 13 August
Years of illegal sand mining on beaches in Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin, Tirunelvelli and Kanyakumari districts is affecting ecology, marine life and the entire coastal community.
Besides, the large scale illicit mining of rare precious minerals in these three coastal districts have caused a loss of Rs 96,120 crore to the government, reveals a letter written by the first District Collector of un-bifurcated Tirunelveli, Mr V Sundaram, to the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu in January 2013.
The letter accuses that a gigantic loot of rare precious minerals has been done by M/s VV Minerals and their sister concerns owned by Mr Vaikundarajan. Mr Sundaram said as per his estimates, the loot is worth Rs. 96,120 crore.
Despite writing letters and complaining about the loot, the Tamil Nadu government has not take any action, he further said.
The letter also accuses the state’s departments of favouring VV Minerals, saying the mining lease was given to them within 72 days, while the other companies are still waiting for permission.
Mr Sundaram, a retired bureaucrat, said an RTI response shows that VV Minerals enjoyed 100 per cent monopoly in ilmenite mining and also had a giant share for exploiting garnet ~ both export favourites.
A sand mafia is operating in the three coastal districts of Tamil Nadu with impunity right under the nose of the Tamil Nadu government. Mr Vaikundarajan is allegedly “running the show” for about two decades now, but the authorities concerned have failed to check the menace.
According to sources, Mr Vaikundarajan’s political clout is protecting him from the law.
He is a businessman with political connections in high places. He has even been getting awards for export of banned items, add sources.
It is only of late that the government banned mining operations in Tuticorin district.
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa constituted special teams recently in the wake of violations in beach mining after former Tuticorin Collector Ashish Kumar launched a crackdown on illegal activities on 6 August.
However, Tuticorin collector was controversially transferred just a day after the crackdown.
The government had ordered suspension of sand mining from 9 August to ensure smooth conduct of inspection.
Special teams led by Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi yesterday began inspection of mining lease areas along the coastline.
http://www.thestatesman.net/news/10233-now-illegal-beach-sand-mining-in-tn.html