KOZHIKODE | Jan 15, 2015: The Kerala government has given No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Karnataka-based MSPL Ltd private company for carrying out iron ore mining in eco-sensitive Chakkittappara. The documents regarding this have become public now.
During the tenure of earlier LDF government, giving permission to the same company for conducting pre-mining survey had snowballed into a controversy. Even allegations were raised against the then Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem that he had taken Rs 5 core as bribe from the company. Following this, the permission was cancelled in December 2013 by the UDF government and an inquiry was ordered into the issue.
For carrying out mining in 406.45 hectare land, the Centre’s permission is required. The government’s present move came to be known when the company approached the Centre with the State’s NOC certificate.
The Centre had considered the Company’s request on December 22 and 23. The primary permission for mining was given for 406.45 hectares in Chakkittappara, 53.93 hecatres in Mavoor and 281.22 hectares in Kakkoor in 2009. Though the company representatives had gone to conduct survey, the survey didn’t take place as the locals protested. The present government has now given sanction for mining in these same places.
(Source: http://kaumudiglobal.com/)