Ashish Kumar, former District Collector of Tuticorin (File Photograph)
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered a probe into reports of alleged illegal mineral mining in the Tuticorin district. Revenue Secretary Mr Gagandeep Singh Bedi will head the team and submit its report within a month.
A few days ago, the then District Collector of Tuticorin, Ashish Kumar, was transferred hours after he ordered raids at a private beach mineral mining unit, allegedly owned by a group close to the ruling AIADMK government. Officials had estimated that the group had illegally mined more than 2,30,000 tonnes of minerals from an area adjoining the permitted location.
It its order, they Tamil Nadu government has said, "The Special Team will inspect and verify in terms of Section 24 of Mines and Minerals Act 1957, whether there is illicit mining by the six lessees of minerals Garnet, Ilmenite and Rutile in Thoothukudi District". The direction, according to the order, is based on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Geology and Mining following the detection and report by the former Collector.
The Tamil Nadu government has also instructed the District Collector to stop issue of transport permits to the six lessees in Tuticorin district. Mining by all lessees in Tuticorin district would also stop till inspections are completed.
Local fishermen had earlier complained to the district administration that violations by the private mining group had led to erosion on the sea shore.