Tuticorin Bishop seeks arrest of illegal sand miners

THE HINDUTuticorin R C Bishop Yvon Ambrose,Right, Speaking to media personnel for V.V.Garnet sand issue. Photo : N.Rajesh

He said the government should implement the National Green Tribunal’s directive issued on August 14 on the imposition of ban on beach sand mining.

Bishop of Tuticorin Roman Catholic Diocese Rev. Fr. Yvon Ambrose urged the state government to inspect the coastline along Tirunelveli, where, he said, large-scale illegal beach sand operation had been going on. He said it was rampant in Kanyakumari as well.

He said the government should implement the National Green Tribunal’s directive issued on August 14 on the imposition of ban on beach sand mining.

Addressing a press conference at Tuticorin Bishop House here on Thursday, the Bishop appealed to the government to arrest illegal miners, whom, he said, had been indulging in such illegal activities for 20 years.

Besides, the licences of erring beach sand mining companies should be cancelled permanently and large quantities of mined mineral sand stocked in godowns here should be seized and brought under the control of government.

Moreover, the government should freeze assets of the erring miners. The law-enforcing agencies, which “ignored the illegal beach sand mining and failed to act tough on the offenders,” should be enquired and punished, the Bishop said.

Since such activities had been ignored for long, the livelihood of fishermen was at stake, he claimed.

Due to extraction of minerals from the beach sand, many fishermen and their children had been exposed to radiation, which led to kidney failure, cancer and skin disease. The special team constituted by the government should not be cowed down by politicians.

The suggestions of officials of the Fisheries Department and representatives of fishermen’s associations should be taken into consideration to study the adverse impact of illegal beach mining, the Bishop said.

Sand mining firm owners discuss issues with Bedi

Teams inspect mining areas along Tuticorin coastline

The HinduRevenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi at a sand quarry at Vaippar coast in Tuticorin district on Monday. Photo : N.Rajesh

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Special teams led by Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi on Monday began inspection of mining lease areas along the coastline.

Speaking to mediapersons before the inspection, Mr. Bedi said six teams would be deployed at six different locations across the Tuticorin district.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had 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 August 6. The government had ordered suspension of sand mining since August 9 to ensure smooth conduct of inspection.

Mr. Bedi said the teams would submit its report to the Chief Minister after concluding final phase of inspection.

Inspections would be conducted for three days this week and for two days in the next week.

Further round of inspection would be carried out, if required. All stakeholders, including fishermen, would be enquired during the inspection, he said.

The officials inspected mining lease areas at Vaipar and Vembar in Vilathikulam taluk, Manapad and Madhavankurichi in Tiruchendur taluk and Padugapathu and Periyathalai in Sathankulam taluk.

Each team comprised a Senior Deputy Collector, an Assistant Director of Survey, an Assistant Director of Mines or Assistant Geologist from the Department of Geology and Mining and a Divisional Environmental Engineer of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. Some officials from other districts had also been drawn for the purpose, officials said.

Officers in the rank of Deputy Collector would head the teams during the inspection. Teams led by S. Santhakumar at Vembar, V. Mohanachandran at Vaipar, P. Rathinasamy at Manapad, A. Lawrence at Madhavankurichi, N. Sakthivel at Periyathaalai and Selvakumar at Padugapathu made on the spot assessments at the mined areas.

Earlier, Collector M. Ravikumar, Superintendent of Police M. Durai, District Revenue Officer Muthu and other high-ranking officers from departments of Revenue, Forests and Pollution Control Board attended a meeting with the teams.

Fishermen raise objections

A section of fishermen from Periyathaalai raised objections over a special team’s inspection at a mining lease area on Monday.

Agitated over the sudden arrival of the team, the fishermen had closed the gate of BMC – Beach Minerals Company at Padukkapathu village, through which the team led by Mr. Selvanathan had earlier approached a quarry to measure the mined area.

Sources said the fishermen felt they had not been apprised about the team’s inspection in advance. The fishermen and the local body representatives of Periyathaalai panchayat wanted to be present at the inspection site but initially they were not allowed to.

After holding talks with the agitators, the team decided to allow five fishermen at the site. Police force was deployed adequately at the scene to prevent any untoward incident.

Plea to extend probe

Special Correspondent from Chennai writes:

A voluntary organisation, ‘Citizens’ Welfare and Grievances Redressal Forum’, on Monday urged the government to widen the scope of the probe by including Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, the managing trustee, V. Sundaram, said illegal beach sand mining operations had been going on in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts for more than 20 years.

He had visited the coastal areas of these districts from Vembar to Manavalakurchi to ascertain the facts and found that minerals worth thousands of crores of rupees had been mined over the last two decades.

While the illegal mining in Tuticorin was to the extent of 15 per cent, it was 65 per cent in Tirunelveli and 20 per cent in Kanyakumari, he claimed and wanted these two districts to be covered in the probe.

TN fishermen seek permanent ban on beach sand mining

The HinduCountry boats that were anchored at Threspuram beach in Tuticorin on Friday. Photo: N. Rajesh

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As a mark of protest fishing was suspended in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts

Stressing the need for enforcing a permanent ban on beach sand mining as per the directive of the National Green Tribunal, fishermen from Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts suspended fishing operations on Friday.

Fishing came to a halt as 5,000 country boats and over 500 mechanised vessels remained anchored at various coastal hamlets across the district, said A. Subash Fernando, convener, Tuticorin District Fishermen Federation.

Pointing out that vast natural resources along coastal areas from Tuticorin to Kanyakumari had been exploited, Mr. Fernando said indiscriminate mining operations on the stretches of beaches resulted in frequent changes in water currents, which drove away fishes. Ultimately, livelihood of fishermen was affected.

Initially, a government agency was involved in beach mining at Manavalakurichi in Kanyakumari district, but later it was given to private players, who allegedly indulged in gross violation in mining operation.

As per the Coastal Regulation Zone, mining should not be done in six kilometres near coasts. But the regulation was ignored by government authorities. Excess mining turned the sea into red at the Periyathaalai coast and fishermen became vulnerable to skin diseases.

Despite representations, no action was taken by officials. Even after the former Tuticorin Collector Ashish Kumar’s action on August 6, when two teams inspected Vaipar, Vembar and Periyasamipuram in Vilathikulam taluk to check illegal beach mining that prompted the Vaipar Village Administrative Officer to file a case with Kulathur police on grounds of violation, the police were still reluctant to act, he said.

When contacted, Superintendent of Police, M. Durai, said the police acted as per the VAO’s complaint procedurally, but an FIR could not be lodged as the Geology and Mines Department handled beach mining issues. Only after ascertaining the violations could police action be taken, he said.

Unlike river sand mining, cases could not be filed in matters concerning beach mining.

To check beach mining violations, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa constituted special teams led by Revenue Secretary, Gagandeep Singh Bedi, who stepped up the drive at six coastal villages in Tuticorin district for three days from August 12.

The next phase of inspection would commence on August 19. The federation organised a massive demonstration near Tuticorin Old Corporation office on WGC road here to enforce the ban and sought necessary action against the violators.

Teams inspect mining areas along Tuticorin coastline

FIR sought on illegal beach mining

An organisation called Meenavar Viduthalai Iyakkam has sought the intervention of the Superintendent of Police, Tuticorin district, to immediately lodge a First Information Report against those who indulged in illegal beach mining.

Its members led by general secretary, V. Alangara Barathar, submitted a petition in the District Police Office here on Saturday seeking necessary action to check the unlawful activity.

Despite former Collector Ashish Kumar’s directive to the Village Administrative Officer to file a case against illegal mining with the Kulathur police in the wake of inspection at Vaipar, Vembar, Periyasamipuram, Kalaignanapuram and its surroundings under Vilathikulam taluk on August 6 by two teams that executed the task for over six hours, the Kulathur police were reluctant to file a case against the beach sand mafia, the association said.

The former Collector, who got transferred on the evening of August 6, exposed the larger crime before the media while addressing a press conference here on August 7 and said a case was filed against the proprietor of the V.V. Minerals (beach mining company) on five counts of criminal offences.

The organisation came to know that no case had been filed until August 9 with the Kulathur police regarding the illegal mining operation. As a general secretary of the organisation, he said he had contacted the Kulathur Inspector of Police over phone to know whether any case was filed. But the Inspector did not respond properly and asked him to come directly to the Kulathur police station to discuss the case. Besides filing the FIR, stern action should also be initiated against the Kulathur police, who delayed in their duty to file a case, the association said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/fir-sought-on-illegal-beach-mining/article5010489.ece?ref=relatedNews

TUTICORIN, August 8, 2013

Updated: August 8, 2013 02:42 IST

Raids on mining sites reveal large-scale violations

  STAFF REPORTER

Collector Ashish Kumar addressing the media in Tuticorin on Wednesday. Photo: N. Rajesh

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Tuticorin District Collector sees no link between his transfer and action against illegal mining

Tuticorin District Collector Ashish Kumar, who is under transfer, on Wednesday said inspections done a day earlier had revealed large-scale illegal mining of sand along the district’s coastal areas.

He was speaking to reporters a day after he was shifted out on Tuesday night. The sudden transfer evoked suspicion that he was shifted for taking on a powerful sand mining lobby. But the officer himself discounted the theory.

Mr. Kumar, a 2005 batch IAS officer, got an order at 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday, posting him as the Deputy Secretary of Social Welfare and Nutritious Noon Meal Programme in Chennai. He is expected to demit office on Thursday.

When asked about his sudden transfer, he replied: “It’s the State government’s prerogative to transfer any officer and I will continue to do good work in my new assignment,” he said.

Before coming here, Mr. Kumar served as Kanyakumari District Collector for a short period of two months. He had a two-year tenure as Tuticorin Collector as he assumed charge on 28 July, 2011. Ariyalur collector M. Ravikumar will succeed him.

Special inspection teams which conducted raids on Tuesday at the sand quarry of V.V. Minerals, a company involved in mining operations in Tuticorin district, found large-scale illegal sand mining along the stretches of beaches at Vaipar, Vembar, Periyasamipuram and its surroundings in Vilathikulam taluk.

Two teams comprising District Revenue Officer, Special Deputy Collector (Stamps), Assistant Director of Mines, Revenue Divisional Officer-Kovilpatti, Pollution Control Board officials and other revenue officials conducted raids at the mining locations for over six hours on Tuesday. Fines would be imposed on the offender soon based on the findings of the final report submitted to the Collector.

Mr. Ashish Kumar said on Wednesday that around 81,000 cubic meters of raw sand had been mined illegally on more than 30 hectares of poromboke land at Vaipar, whereas miners were legally entitled to mine only on four hectares of leased land.

Of the mined beach sand, mineral quantity of 2,30,000 tonnes was measured.

The offence would attract punishment on charges of theft under IPC, provisions of the Tamil Nadu Public Properties Prevention of Damage and Loss Act, 1992, Illicit Mining and Minerals Act, Environmental Protection Act, 1986 and Coastal Regulation Zone notification, 2006.

Based on five complaints of illegal sand mining by fishermen in June and grievances aired by them at a meeting in July, preliminary inspection was done by a committee comprising Deputy Collector (Training), Assistant Director of Mines and District Environmental Engineer ahead of the raid on Tuesday.

The fishermen raised fears of sea erosion and environmental hazards owing to indiscriminate mining at beaches, the Collector said.

Red sand mining

In May, officials launched a crackdown on illegal beach mining of red sand in Beach Minerals Company (BMC) at Padugapaththu in Sathankulam taluk and a fine of Rs.3.10 crore was imposed on the offender following complaints of fishermen at the Periyathaalai coast.

Illegal mining of 4.91 lakh cubic metres of raw sand and mineral quantity of 2.82 lakh tonnes from the mined property was detected.

Evaluation report

An evaluation report of the mineral samples was yet to come and its fine amount would be 10 to 20 times higher than the penalty levied for raw sand mining by the BMC, he said.

Such illegal operations were on in Tirunelveli district with 26 sand quarries and some in Kanyakumari district also, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/raids-on-mining-sites-reveal-largescale-violations/article5000421.ece?ref=relatedNews

TUTICORIN, August 9, 2013

Updated: August 9, 2013 10:19 IST

New Collector to crack down on illegal mining

STAFF REPORTER  

M. Ravikumar assuming charge in Tuticorin Collectorate on Thursday. Photo: N. Rajesh

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M. Ravikumar, who assumed charge as Collector of Tuticorin district on Thursday, said adequate measures would be taken to check any irregularity and necessary action would be initiated against those who indulged in violations.

He was responding to a query from presspersons on measures to control illegal mining in the district. He said top priority would be accorded to redress any grievance of common people and ensure transparency in his administration as Collector.

Prior to his new assignment, Mr. Ravikumar, (55) who hails from Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram district, worked as Collector in Ariyalur district for five months. Mr. Ravikumar is the 22nd Collector of Tuticorin since the district was bifurcated from Tirunelveli on October 20, 1986.

A postgraduate in Political Science and also Law, he practised for six years in Madras High Court. After getting selected in Group I services, he was posted as Assistant Commissioner in Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. He also served as deputy collector in Cuddalore and in Tiruvallur.

Mr. Ravikumar worked in various capacities in Cooperative Department before being promoted as an IAS officer in February 2012. He had earned 26 years of work experience in the Cooperative Department. He was a special officer in Tuticorin Central Cooperative Bank in 2002. Besides, he had held various positions in Milk and Dairy Development and Civil Supplies Corporation.

Ashish Kumar, in his previous tenure of office as Tuticorin Collector, held the position for two years. He took up the reigns on July 28, 2011 and got transferred on August 6, 2013.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/new-collector-to-crack-down-on-illegal-mining/article5004283.ece?ref=relatedNews

CHENNAI, August 9, 2013

Updated: August 9, 2013 23:43 IST

TN orders probe into illegal sand mining

  SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The HinduTamil Nadu Government on Friday ordered suspension of sand mining in Tuticorin district and formed a Special Team to probe into the issue in the backdrop of reports of illegal mining activities. File photo

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Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi to head special team

Acting on a report from the Tuticorin Collector, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has ordered a probe by a special team into illicit mining in six lease areas, and called a halt to mining of garnet, ilmenite and rutile in the district.

A government order to this effect was issued by the Industries Department on Thursday, two days after Ashish Kumar, the Collector who inspected the mining sites and was transferred the same day, reported large-scale illicit beach sand mining by various lessees.

Special team

Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi would head the special team to verify whether there was illicit mining in the six lease areas of major minerals in Tuticorin district. It should submit its report to the government in a month. The team would consist of officers from the departments of Revenue, Environment and Forests and Geology and Mining, the order said.

The Collector should issue proceedings directing all lessees of garnet, ilmenite and rutile to stop mining operations until the inspections are over. To facilitate the probe, the Assistant director (Mines) was directed to stop giving transport permits to the six lessees.

The Industries Department order followed a recommendation from the Commissioner of Geology and Mining, who had received a letter from the District Collector on August 6, mentioning instances of large scale illicit beach sand mining.

He had also reported that detailed field inspections may be undertaken by a special team consisting of departments of revenue, police, environment and forests, geology and mining in connections with the illicit beach minerals mining by various lessees.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-orders-probe-into-illegal-sand-mining/article5006751.ece?ref=relatedNews

CHENNAI, August 17, 2013

Updated: August 17, 2013 12:09 IST

Green Tribunal orders notice to Centre, State govt

  STAFF REPORTER

The HinduEarthmovers engaged in mining sand from the Cauvery river bed near Tiruchi. Photo: M. Moorthy

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An NGO has accused a private company of mining in Tirunelveli district for 18 years without clearance

The National Green Tribunal, Southern Bench, on Friday ordered notice to Central and State government authorities on a plea to stop alleged illegal sand mining in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) in Tirunelveli district.

A Tirunelveli-based non-governmental organisation has alleged that a private company had been mining for the past 18 years, without obtaining environmental clearance, in Karaichithuputhur, near Radhapuram, Tirunelveli district.

The Bench, comprising Justice P. Jyothimani and Prof. R. Nagendran ordered notices to the authorities to file their replies after admitting the application filed by the Coastal Ecology and Environment Conservation and Protection Society.

According to the applicant, The Indian Ocean Garnet Sand Company Private Limited was granted a lease in 1990 by the State government to mine garnet sand from mineralised beach sand.

Meanwhile, the Union government imposed restrictions on the setting up and expansion of industries’ operations or processes. As per its notification, it was made mandatory to obtain environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).

The applicant alleged the company had not obtained consent to establish and operate the said mining lease from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB). Even after the expiry of the lease period, the company had been mining without obtaining the necessary consent from the TNPCB or environmental clearance from the MoEF. It had also established a mineral benefaction unit and environment degradation was caused due to mining activity in the CRZ, the applicant alleged.

Posting the matter for further hearing on August 22, the Bench directed the private company to file its reply on that day.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/green-tribunal-orders-notice-to-centre-state-govt/article5029693.ece?ref=relatedNews

TIRUNELVELI, June 8, 2013

Updated: June 8, 2013 10:37 IST

Illicit sand mining: 17 bullock carts seized in Tirunelveli

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT  

The HinduThe seized bullock carts at Palayamkottai police station on Friday. Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

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Police seized 17 bullock carts that were used for illicit sand mining in the district on Friday.

Eleven bullock carts, all carrying illegally quarried sand from the Tamirabharani, were seized by the Palayamkottai police. They also arrested S. Selvam (46), S. Andrews alias Aandaperumal (41), N. Kittu (36), Muthukrishnan (39) and M. Poolraj (31), all from Thimmarajapuram, S. Pandi (51) of Kottur, M. Madasamy (30) and K. Kamaraj (45), both from Padappaikurichi, for illicit sand quarrying.

In another incident, Sivagiri police seized six bullock carts involved in illegal sand mining at Kombaiyaaru near Sivagiri on Friday and registered case against six persons.

Keywords: sand mining, illegal sand mining, Tamirabharani, Sivagiri, Kombaiyaaru

RELATED NEWS

Green Tribunal orders notice to Centre, State govt AUGUST 17, 2013

Bullock cart operators begin relay fast APRIL 1, 2013

Sand smugglers’ bid to kill four officialsMARCH 13, 2013

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