Villagers of Narasingampatti complained against granite baron P.R. Palanichamy-owned PRP Exports that three irrigation tanks and two Public Works Department irrigation channels were demolished to set up its granite polishing unit at Therkkutheru near here.
The complaint was made to High Court-appointed Legal Commissioner U. Sagayam when he inspected the factory on Wednesday.
Mr. Sagayam sought reports on the criminal action initiated against the accused for having destroyed the water bodies and the irrigation channel. He also sought the action taken report against officials of Revenue and Public Works Departments for not protecting the government infrastructure.
ADVERTISEMENT
Amidst tight police security, Mr. Sagayam and his team of officials along with Revenue Divisional Officer (Madurai), Senthilkumari and Tahsildar (Melur), Krishnan, inspected the factory premises set up along the Madurai-Tiruchi highway.
PWD engineers said that PRP Exports had constructed an alternative channel for the over 700-metre-long earthen channel that was closed by the company.
However, no prior permission was sought for closing the channel they said. Mr. Sagayam asked the officials as to how the factory was allowed to be set up on the fertile wetland. He said acquisition of wetland even for government schemes required District Collector’s inspection and opinion for re-classification of the land.
ADVERTISEMENT
He also sought details about whether the company had got permission from Local Planning Authority to put up huge buildings. Jeyaveeranan of Narasingampatti complained that a major portion of 2.20 acres of Ayyanpathi tank was encroached upon by the factory.
Besides, the unit had raised compound wall around its premises denying them access to the Ayyanar temple on the tank bund. The horse statues there were desecrated. An advocate for PRP Exports said people were allowed at the gate to offer their prayers at the temple.
Mr. Sagayam inspected the godown, where seized granite slabs were stored.