The Hindu Business Line : Kerala to come out with mining policy

The policy will lay emphasis on mining of the minerals scientifically and without causing any environmental problems, the Industries Minister, Mr Elamaram Kareem, said in reply to questions in the Assembly on Friday.

The Minister also said that Travancore Titanium Products Ltd (TTPL) was implementing a project to enhance the titanium dioxide capacity to 21,500 tonnes.

The project incorporated production of 25 tonnes of rutile grade titanium dioxide per day.

In reply to another question, he said that as per a Government order in 2005, the pollution control project at TTPL was planned to be implemented in two phases.

The outlay for the first phase was put at Rs 129.4 crore and for the second phase at Rs 126.7 crore.

The project cost was revised in 2007 and accordingly, the outlay for the first phase was at Rs 225.8 crore and for the second phase at Rs 188.6 crore, Mr Kareem said.

The Minister informed the House that the Mining and Geology Department had found gold deposits at places like Melppadi, Chundel, Maruthabhagam, Chaliyar and Nilambur in the State.

But many of the locations are in reserve forests and mining could be taken up only after getting the consent of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Replying to questions, the Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr C. Divakaran, said that the Government proposes to come out with a legislation to check hoarding and black-marketing as there were loopholes in the existing rules.

The Government is also working on a proposal to supply vegetables and other commodities at reasonable prices through a consortium of Horticorp, Milma, Meat Products of India and the Poultry Development Corporation during the coming Onam season.

The Government would also set up ‘people’s big bazaars’ in all districts to make available vegetables and other commodities under one roof.

The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, said that all the Departments would be covered under e-governance in 3-5 years.

The State Government has submitted proposals from 16 Departments to the Centre for inclusion in Centrally sponsored schemes.

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