MADURAI | Feb 17, 2015: Author of 'Thathumanal Kollai' (Mineral Sand Loot) and coordinator of Tamil Nadu Sutrusulal Pathukappu Iyakkam (Tamil Nadu Environment Protection Movement), R S Mugilan, has slammed the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and central government for their inaction over beach sand mining which is taking place near the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP). Mugilan was in the city to introduce his book at an event organised by Kottravai Iyakkam.
Armed with information obtained through Right to Information Act, Mugilan charged that V V Minerals was allowed to mine garnet sand at 756 acres (300 hectares) in Levingipuram area on August 12, 2011. The area allowed for beach sand mining falls within 5 km circumference of KKNPP. Though AERB in its guidelines issued in 2001 banned any mining or industrial activities within 5 km radius of nuclear plants, in this case, it failed to take any action, he said.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)