The Madras High Court has directed the Vellore Collector to take action against those illegally mining sand from the Palar riverbed.
A Division Bench headed by Justice Elipe Dharma Rao passed the order on a petition by K.L. Elavazhagan, Arcot MLA.
The legislator sought to quash an order of the Collector, Vellore, of January 2008 and sought to restrain the official from allowing sand mining in Sathambakkam, Sankaranpadi and Mangadu villages and take necessary action against officials for causing a loss of more than Rs.21 crore to the exchequer.
The Collector’s order permitted sand quarrying in Vellore district through the Public Works Department on the basis of a report of November 2007 given by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Vellore and Ranipet.
Mr. Elavazhagan said as per the permit issued by the PWD only four units of sand were allowed to be transported. However, nine units used to be ferried. He had held several demonstrations condemning the illegal mining and lodged a complaint in August 2008. .
The Bench said when a sitting MLA made a complaint, a duty was cast upon the authorities to enquire into the matter.
