Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan has said the government will not stop mineral sand-mining at Alappad in Kollam district for holding discussions with those agitating against it.
Speaking to the media here on Monday, the Minister said the government had no plan to stop mining activities at Alappad as 240 families were depending on mining for their livelihood.
He said he had not yet received any complaint from local residents against mining.
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Reiterates stand
He also reiterated the stance that the present condition of the area was caused by tsunami and not mineral sand-mining.
Referring to his controversial mention about residents of Malappuram being part of the protest against mineral sand-mining at Alappad, he said it was just a remark in a channel debate in which another person was from that district.
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He wondered why somebody from another place having no coastal area should come to Alappad and raise the issue. He also snubbed Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala’s demand that the Minister apologise for his ‘Malappuram’ statement.
Public sector firm
Mr. Jayarajan said Indian Rare Earths Ltd. (IRE) engaged in mining at Alappad was a public sector company. The company was mining in the area on the basis of a long-term lease, he said. Stating that the agitation against mining was not led by local residents, he also said there were no differences in the Left Democratic Front over the issue.
To a question, the Minister said the tax rebate given for aviation fuel at the Kannur international airport would not adversely affect the Kozhikode airport. The government favoured the development of all airports in the State, he added.