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The State Government will take stringent action against illegal sand mining, said the Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa.
Illegal mining of sand and smuggling it to neighbouring states have largely been brought under control.
Over the last one year, 4,173 cases of illegal sand mining have been filed, 5,033 persons arrested, 5,501 vehicles seized, a dozen persons taken into preventive custody and Rs 14 crore collected as penalty.
Government's revenue
In the last one year, the Government’s revenue from sand mining has increased to Rs 197 crore from the average annual income of Rs 120 crore in the previous five years.
The increase has happened in spite of sand mining being banned in Tamirabarani riverbed. This indicates that the illegal activity has been controlled, she said in an official statement.
Regulated industry
Sand mining is a strongly regulated industry in Tamil Nadu with the State Government handling mining and sale of sand. Her Government, when she had previously been in power, had taken the decision based on a High Court order and to ensure sustainable practices in sand mining.
Referring to an incident in Tirupattur on May 12, when a government official had been attacked when he was investigating a case of illegal mining, the Chief Minister said there have been random instances and reports of officials being attacked.
A case has been filed and stringent action is being taken.
Ms Jayalalithaa has warned that the Government will deal with illegal mining with an `iron hand’.
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