Sagayam seeks clarification on the scope of probe

The IAS officer also wants to select his own team

November 21, 2014 08:35 am | Updated November 16, 2021 05:48 pm IST - CHENNAI:

IAS officer U. Sagayam, appointed by the Madras High Court as Legal Commissioner to probe illegal mining in the State, has filed a petition asking whether he should inspect and report about mining of minerals in the entire State or confine his probe to granite mining in Madurai district alone.

Considering the onerous task to be undertaken by him, he said it would be appropriate if he had the discretion to select the officers of his choice from any department for the effective completion of the work within the stipulated time.

In the petition, he said that after the court order, he asked for facilities under the bona fide belief that he should report about illegal mining in all 32 districts. On October 28, the court directed the State to do the needful as requested by Mr. Sagayam within four days. A few days later, the government issued a letter directing him to inspect the mines and submit a report to the court. It also directed the Madurai Collector and the Commissioner of Geology and Mining and the DGP to provide him with the necessary infrastructure and security.

By a November 5 letter, the Commissioner, Geology and Mining, had directed the Madurai Collector alone to provide him with the necessary infrastructure, leaving out the Collectors of the other districts. The Madurai district administration appeared to have made arrangements, by providing a separate office, staff and vehicle. The Commissioner had also sent a list of Assistant Directors and other personnel to assist Mr. Sagayam.

Already, he had received 42 petitions from 16 districts, and the complaints covered river sand mining, coastal mining, granite, limestone and blue metal mining.

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