Kerala CM orders expert audit of mineral sand mining, probe into PSU irregularities

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said the State Government would order an expert audit of mineral sand mining and probe alleged irregularities by Central and state public sector undertakings.

Replying to a submission by legislator G Sudhakaran in the Assembly, Satheesan said an expert committee would assess where mineral sand may be extracted and whether such activities could trigger environmental issues in vulnerable regions, including Upper Kuttanad.

He said the government would also examine complaints regarding sand removed from the Thottappally spillway estuary and take appropriate action if any irregularities were found.

The CM said a 2009 Water Resources Department order had authorised the removal of sand accumulated at the Thottappally estuary through Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd, Chavara, to ensure the smooth flow of water before the monsoon.

He said a meeting convened by the Alappuzha district collector on June 1 this year decided that the non-mineral sand remaining after the separation of mineral sand would be used to fill geotubes for sea wall construction at Chellanam.

Satheesan said the state receives royalty in advance on mineral sand extracted from the estuary, which is processed to separate valuable minerals before being sold. He said KMML has paid more than Rs 8.70 crore as royalty, while the Central public sector undertaking Indian Rare Earths Ltd has paid Rs 4.71 crore.