The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : NIST to study clay mining issues in Mangalapuram

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Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

NIST to study clay mining issues in Mangalapuram

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: The Mining and Geology Department and the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences and Technology (NIST, formerly RRL) have been asked to study environmental problems caused by China clay mining in Mangalapuram panchayat, Minister for Industries Elamaram Karim said.

In a written reply to a question in the Assembly, Mr. Karim said a sum of Rs. 11 lakh have been sanctioned by the Government for NIST and Mining and Geology Department to carry out the study.

Mr. Karim said 12 firms have been given licence for clay mining in Mangalapuram panchayat in the capital district. Generally water shortage is reported from areas where clay deposits are found. It has not been scientifically proven that water shortage is due to clay mining.

The Minister said the firm, English Indian Clays, which had been given the licence for clay mining is making drinking water available in the locality. Besides, they have organised medical camps for the locals.

Titanium-based industries

Mr. Karim, in reply to another question, said the Government has plans to expand Titanium-based industries in the State. Discussions on this have already been initiated by the Government.

The Government had already worked out plans for expansion of Travancore Titanium Products (TTP). In a written reply to another query, Mr. Karim said TTP was implementing pollution control measures in two phases.

The first phase of the project would cost Rs. 225.8 crores and the second phase, Rs. 188.6 crores. The Minister said allegations of corruption in implementing the project had come to the Government’s notice. A public interest litigation demanding Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe was pending in High Court.

Fake recruitments

Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan, in reply to a question, said 10 cases have been registered against those running fake recruitment drives. He said travel agents and recruiting agents were being monitored at the police station level. Mr. Achuthanandan said Norka-Roots have been organising pre-departure orientation for those going for employment abroad. Norka-Roots had licence for recruiting people for jobs abroad, he added.

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