A response from the Mining and Geology Department to a query under the Right to Information Act has clarified that the granite crusher unit at the controversial quarry at Ponmala is situated in puramboke land.
The RTI reply says that the crusher unit stands in survey No. 161/5 which is classified as puramboke land in the Thottappuzhasserry village office register. As per official records, the 1.10-acre puramboke land at Ponmala in Thottappuzhasserry panchayat was assigned to the quarry owner, and its mutation made, in 1999.
The Ponmala Nature Protection Council leaders wanted to know why the quarry owner had waited till 2005 for remitting the land revenue tax. The action council leaders also sought to know about the remaining 1.50-acre puramboke land, after 1.10 acres were assigned to the quarry owners.
