PMK demands separate law to curb illegal sand mining

Madurai, Feb 27 (UNI) The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key constituent of the ruling DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), today demanded a separate legislation to prevent illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu.

Talking to newsmen here, PMK Supremo S Ramadoss claimed illegal sand mining was rampant in the State and the government should take necessary measures to prevent it.

The PMK will stress for a separate legislation to check the activity, he said.

Answering a query, he said incidence of smuggling of ration rice was also rampant in the State. This was reported in the media, too.

Leaders of various political parties had also raised the issue.

He urged the Tamil Nadu Government to take stern action against the smugglers and severe action to prevent rice smuggling.

On Mullaiperiyar row, he reiterated his earlier demand for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers of all Southern States to find an amicable settlement in accordance with the Apex Court's judgement on sharing of water.

If the States failed to honour the Supreme Court verdict, then the Centre should nationalise all the rivers, he added.

Asked to comment his views on Left Parties attempts to form a Third Front at the national level and whether the PMK would join the efforts, he said they (Communists) were extending their support to the Congress-led UPA Government from outside, while the PMK was a partner of the government.

He demanded a public debate before finalising the annual Budget of the State Government.

The government should hear the views and suggestions of all sections of people, traders, businessmen, officials, farmers and others before finalizing the Budget, he added.

On the Union Railway Budget, he said it was a 'Golden Era' for the Indian Railways.

Tamil Nadu was getting a number of Railway projects and the PMK's vision of converting all Metre Gauge lines into Broad Gauge lines in in the State had been fulfilled in the Budget.

UNI XR/GSM LS RAI2101