No evidence to suggest illegal mining of atomic minerals in Tamil Nadu: Report

The report stated the allegation made by the complainant was filed with a wrong motive, envy and vindictive and far away from the truth

The Indian Bureau of Mines, which works under the Ministry of Mines, said it had found no evidence in the alleged illegal mining of atomic minerals across Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Tuticorin districts in Tamil Nadu by a private mining company.

This was mentioned in a joint inspection report by the department of Geology and Mining and the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).

The report was prepared after the department conducted an investigation into Tirunelveli-based Rs 1,000 crore sand mining company V V Mineral, which belongs to Vaikundarajan and Brothers.

The inspection report, copy of which is available with Business Standard, was signed by assistant director of Mines & Geology, assistant director of Mines and Geology, deputy director of Mines and Geology and others. It stated the allegation made by the complainant was filed with a wrong motive, envy and vindictive and far away from the truth.

The joint inspection was made from May 2-6 this year, based on complaints of V Sundaram, a retired civil servant, who is also related to the Public Grievances Redressal Forum, Chennai. The team comprised officials of state and India Bureau of Mines, Chennai.

In his complaint, Sundaram alleged that atomic minerals worth Rs 96,120 crore worth was carried out by V V Minerals in Tirunelveli district with the full connivance of government servants from the Centre and the state during the last decade.The allegation was that V V Minerals and its associates had allegedly flouted the mining regulation and looted money.

"During the joint inspection no illicit mining was observed in the adjacent areas of mining leases, which were certified by the respective village administrative officers and surveyors," says the report.However, the petitioner, Sundaram, said he would not accept the report and asked the Madras high court to order for a CBI inquiry in the whole issue.

The report further said production details furnished by the company from their own mining leases, granted both in patta and government poramboke land in all the three districts, were found to be appropriate.