TN minister warns of legal action against illegal sand mining

Chennai, Aug 28 (UNI) Asserting that the Tamil Nadu government will not allow illegal sand mining, PWD Minister Duraimurugan today warned of legal action against those preventing genuine miners with licence from operating.

In an apparent dig at PMK, which had planned to file a case in the court alleging indiscriminate sand mining in the State, Mr Duraimurugan, in a statement here, said the government would not allow any irregularities in sand mining.

''At the same time the government will not allow illegal sand mining'', he said and warned that law would not remain silent against those preventing genuine people indulging in sandmining with government licence.

''Sand is a natural resource. It is also one of the essential items for the people. About 15 lakh loads of sands are being mined for the growing construction industry'', he said.

Mr Duraimurugan also appealed to the people not to fall prey to false campaign by some people that rivers would be deserted because of sand mining.

''The agitation plan of those people (PMK) is to create fear in the minds of the people'', he charged.

Following the growth of the construction industry, there was increase in the demand for sand. The government had been taking all steps to distribute it to the people in a proper manner, while taking steps to prevent illegal sand quarrying.

Mr Duraimurugan also said revenue to the government from the sale of sand had gone up to Rs 130.92 crore 2006-07 in the present DMK regime as against Rs 74.64 crore in 2005-06 during the AIADMK regime.

Flaying the PMK indirectly for its move to file a case in the court, he said if they are able to prove in the court any illegal sand mining, the government would not hesitate to take action against them, whoever they may be.

The minister also warned that attempts to bring sandmining activities to a standstill in the name of staging agitations would lead to formation of sand dunes, which would collapse during rains leading to floods.

UNI