VELLORE | Nov 05, 2015: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) treasurer M.K. Stalin on Wednesday assured to take steps to stop sand smuggling from Palar river in Vellore district if voted to power in the 2016 Assembly election.
On the second day of “Namaku Naame” campaign in the district, Mr. Stalin held a discussion with organisations fighting against sand smuggling in Palar.
After a few representatives outlined the problems due to indiscriminate sand mining by quarry operators in the district, he promised to regulate sand mining when the party comes to power.
Curbing sand smuggling will also find place in the party’s election manifesto, he added.
“Sand smuggling on Palar has affected 15 drinking water schemes including Tambaram, Pallavaram, Poonamallee and Walajah drinking water schemes. Sand mining has affected 1.24 lakh acres of agricultural land and 300 lakes that are the source of irrigation have dried up,” he said.
Assuring that measures will be taken to conserve the natural resource, he said, “We will form a monitoring committee comprising women Self Help Group members, public, farmers and NGOs. We will give complete freedom to revenue and police officials to take action on illegal sand mining and keep an eye on it.”
He said that sand mining licenses will be auctioned through e-auctions.
He assured to do away with political interference at all levels when it comes to preventing sand smuggling.
(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)