A Committee set up by the state government to probe into illegal quarrying of granite, has concluded that no quarrying was going on in the forest area of Kanakapura Taluk. The team led by Principal Secretary to government, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) Mohamed Sanaulla in its report stated that “no quarrying is going on within 100 metres of the forest area.”

In its report, which was submitted to the Chief Minister on March 14 this year, the Sanaulla Committee said the team, after inspecting thoroughly the locations where it was alleged that illegal quarrying was on, found that no quarrying was going on in the forest area of Kanakapura taluk.

The Madurai district police arrested 21 persons accused of violating various norms in connection with the granite quarry operations here on Wednesday.

Based on the complaints from the Village Administrative Officers, the Keelavalavu and Othakadai police had registered criminal cases against granite quarry staff and operators including the partners/directors of PRP Granites and Exports, Sindhu Granites and Olympus Granites, among others. In the process of granite quarrying, the workers had allegedly indulged in trespass, encroached into government land, suppressed evidence and deviated from licence norms for quarrying.

Uttar Pradesh, which has about 4,000 mines of coal, silica, bauxite and granite – mostly in Bundelkhand region, has mandated e-tendering for future allotment of mining leases in the state.

This step is aimed at preventing hitherto rampant illegal mining and ushering transparency in allotment of mining leases. Under the system, lease holder will have to get environment clearance for mining within 6 months if the land area is more than 5 hectares (ha), whereas, in case of lease for mining of area of less than 5 hectares, environment clearance will not be required.

On many occasions, district officials could not act on these illegal activities

Exploitation of natural resources like granite, blue metal and sand from the rivers, has been going on in the district during the last decade.
On many occasions, district officials could not act on these illegal activities due to political intervention. Still, some among the officials, who dared to curb this menace, invited the wrath of the quarry owners and their henchmen having the backing of political bigwigs, said Revenue Department officials.

Jose Kurian

KALPETTA: QUARRIES in forest!

Oct. 6: Stating that only tribals had mining rights in Agency areas, the Araku MP, Mr V. Kishore Chandra Deo, observed that no body else had the right to enjoy this particular gift of nature.

BERHAMPUR: Are granite bricks an answer to the dust pollution generated by the processing and polishing of granite slabs? If Ganjam Granite Cluster Association (GGCA) is to be believed, the dust can be put to good use. To drive the point home, it has begun the trial production of granite bricks.

At Aladiyoor near Manimuthar dam, says CPI

CHECKING:CPI leader R. Nallakkannu looking at the bridge damaged reportedly by the impact of granite mining at Aladiyoor near Manimuthar