Roadmap on beach sand mining soon: Chandy

Says industries ministry will come out with a roadmap very soon on how to go forward on the issue

Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy has said the government would soon issue a road map on what needs to be done after the high court overturned its decision to bar private sector from mining mineral beach sands in the state.

Chandy told mediapersons today the industries ministry would come out with a roadmap very soon on how to go forward on the issue.

His comments came after a division bench of the Kerala high court asked the state government to consider 29 pending applications from private sector and joint sector companies seeking permission for mining mineral sand.

The state government has approached the division bench of the high court after a Single Judge bench of the same court on February 13 last year quashed the state government's decision to bar private sector from mining mineral beach sands.

Following Friday's ruling, opposition leader VS Achuthanandan has asked the state government to file an appeal in the Supreme Court and appoint leading lawyers of the country to appear for the government.

Achuthanandan said public sector companies should be given the opportunity and mines should not fall into the hands of private players.

Chandy, however, said in each and every case, there was a timeframe to go forward with the appeal. "There was no delay in filing the appeal. Now, the next step in this issue would be taken through discussions with the appropriate people. Each and every aspect would be looked into and then we will take the decision."