The State Government has decided to form a special team to check the illegal beach sand and mineral mining in Tuticorin district.
In an order, GO Ms No 156, dated Aug 8, the Government said Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi will head an investigation team with officials from Revenue, Environment and Forests and Geology and Mining departments and will check if any of the lease holders have illicitly mined minerals as garnet, illmenite and rutile in the beach sands in the district and will complete its investigation within one month and submit a report.
Till then, mining operations will be stopped.
The investigation is based on the recommendation of the Commissioner of Geology and Mining, who sought the investigation following a report by the District Collector on Aug 6 that inspection indicated instances of illicit mining in the region.