Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government will conduct an expert audit of mineral sand mining across the state and investigate allegations of irregularities involving Central and state public sector undertakings, Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced in the Assembly on Wednesday.
Replying to a submission by legislator G Sudhakaran, Satheesan said an expert committee would assess areas suitable for mineral sand extraction and examine whether such activities could pose environmental risks in ecologically sensitive regions, including Upper Kuttanad.
He said the government would also investigate complaints regarding sand removed from the Thottappally spillway estuary and take appropriate action if any irregularities were found.
The Chief Minister said a 2009 order issued by the Water Resources Department had authorised the removal of sand accumulated at the Thottappally estuary through Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd (KMML), Chavara, to ensure the smooth flow of water before the monsoon.
He added that 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 seawall 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.
According to him, KMML has paid more than ₹8.70 crore in royalty, while the Central public sector undertaking Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) has paid ₹4.71 crore.
Noting that widespread complaints had been raised over sand extraction, the Chief Minister said the government would examine all allegations seriously and take prompt action wherever necessary.
