CHENNAI | July 14, 2017: Stating that special flying squads comprising officials from various departments continue their surveillance to prevent mining of beach minerals in three coastal districts - Tirunelveli, Tuticorin and Kanniyakumari, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday told the Assembly that the State government would take further action in the beach minerals issue, including the unveiling of beach mineral policy, once the Madras High Court pronounces its verdict.

Responding to the issue raised by the Leader of Opposition, MK Stalin during zero hour, the Chief Minister said since it was reported to the court that mining of beach minerals continued even after an official ban, flying squads comprising sub collectors, officials of police, geology and mining, land survey and other related departments had been formed to continue surveillance.

He said report of the special team headed by a senior IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Bedi had submitted its report on September 17 last year and it was submitted to the court. The next hearing in the case had been posted for September 4.

Recalling that the Madras High Court had appointed V Suresh as its consultant in beach mineral issue last year, Palaniswami said Suresh had already submitted his report to the court. Further, on the directions of the court, a committee headed by Satyabrata Sahu, IAS, which comprises experts from Department of Atomic Energy, Indian Bureau of Mines, geology and mining department, revenue department etc., had been studying the presence of beach minerals and atomic minerals.

Raising the issue, Stalin wanted to know as to what happened to the report submitted by Gagandeep Singh Bedi and the announcement by the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa that a new policy on beach minerals would be unveiled.

State autonomy will be protected in appointment to subordinate court Law Minister CVe Shanmugam on Thursday assured the State Assembly that the State government would protect its right over appointment of judges to sub-ordinate courts. The minister said the Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognisance of a circular of the union law ministry regarding recruitment of judges for sub-ordinate courts. “Once we receive the SC notice, the State would take action.

(Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com/)