Kerala not to allow sand mining by pvt players: Minister

Kozhikode, July 14 (UNI) Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem today said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government would not grant permision to private parties for mineral sand minining in the state.

''We are very firm and bound by the LDF manifesto on the issue,'' he told reporters here while denying reports on his government giving permission to Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) for mineral sand mining.

Stating he was not aware of a letter dated 25 May this year issued by the LDF Government seeking permission from Central Pollution Control Board to grant mining lease to IREL, he said the case was initiated by former Industries Minister P K Ibrahmkunhu at the fag end of the UDF regime.

However the letter was issued by an aditional secretary after the LDF assumed office without his consent, Mr Kareem said.

His government was prepared to order a probe into the issue and the guilty would be punished if anything was found against the declared policy of the LDF on the issue, the Minister added.

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