KOLLAM: Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran has demanded that a Legislative Committee probe the allegations pertaining to the mineral sand-mining sector. He was delivering the keynote address at the `Theeradesa Samrakshana Sangamam' organised by the Kerala Pradesh Matsya Thozhilali Congress at Karunagapally, near here, on Saturday.

He alleged that Industries Minister Elamaram Karim has a questionable interest on the mineral sand-mining sector. He said the Legislative Committee should inquire into the role of the Industries Department top brass in granting mining permit to the private company.

Mr. Sudheeran alleged that there were enough grounds to conclude that the mineral sand mafia had considerable influence over the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government.

He said the Government's dilly-dallying with the withdrawal of the mining permit served to expose its nexus with the mafia. "It appears that the Government is only too keen to entrust the mining to the private sector."

The earlier the permit is withdrawn, the better it is for the Government, Mr. Sudheeran said. Else, agitations by the public will compel the Government to soon withdraw the mining permit, he added.

Mr. Sudheeran said the M.S. Swaminathan Commission report harms the interest of the State. Hence, the State Government should initiate steps to withdraw the harmful recommendations.

Mr. Sudheeran added that he had brought these aspects of the report to the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC president Sonia Gandhi. He had also met Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan in this regard.

Earlier, while inaugurating the sangamam, KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala called for the revocation of the mining permit to the private company. He alleged that Mr. Karim was hiding the truth relating to the permit. Mr. Chennithala said that the extended trawling ban till August 15 came into force only because of the incompetence of the LDF Government.

Kollam DCC president Sooranad Rajashekaran welcomed the gathering. State president of the Matysa Thozhilali Congress A.P. Jayaseelan presided. The former Minister Dominic Presentation, KPCC general secretary K.C. Rajan, INTUC State president K. Suresh Babu and State president of the Youth Congress K.P. Anil Kumar addressed the gathering.

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