State assures of action on illegal sand quarrying

When a PIL seeking a direction to stop the rampant illegal sand quarrying in several parts of Vellore district came up for hearing before the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, Government Pleader MK Subramanian assured the bench about the immediate action that follows a complaint.

Also, the bench on recording the Government Pleader’s submission that an action-taken report will be filed in respect of the places mentioned in the public interest litigation, posted the matter for further hearing to June 16. A Saravanan of Navalpur had contended that while the joint director of mines, Vellore District, had granted licences for sand quarrying in just eight places in the district, illegal miners were playing havoc in Sathampakkam and Charamallur with mining progressing in over 25 acres. 

Stating that agriculture and live stocks are affected due to this, he submitted that even in areas earmarked for sand mining illegalities transpired. He said while the licence holders have been permitted to quarry sand to an extent of just three feet, the quarrying instead transpired to a depth of over 20 feet causing severe paucity of water even for drinking purposes. 

He further submitted that since his complaints in this regard to both the joint director of mines and the Collector had failed to evoke any tangible results, he had no choice but to approach the court for remedy.