The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “Give up move to lease out sand quarries to private parties”

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“Give up move to lease out sand quarries to private parties”

Special Correspondent

Ramadoss questions basis for State government’s decision

It will end up ravaging all river beds, he says
“Has a panel been appointed to study the issue?”

S. Ramadoss

CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss on Tuesday urged the government to give up its decision to lease out sand quarries to private parties, saying expansion of quarry operations would end up ravaging all river beds and in depletion of groundwater across the State.

Questioning the basis for the government’s decision, Dr. Ramadoss in a statement wondered whether the cabinet decision of the previous AIADMK regime could be scrapped by a meeting of five Ministers and a few officials.

He also wanted to know whether it had appointed any experts committee to study the issue.

“Has the committee submitted any report saying that the lessees are men with integrity? Has it said that they will not violate the rules and resort to greedy practices that will lead to water scarcity and environmental degradation? Has it said they will not increase price of sand? Has it said that construction activities will not be affected because of the decision?” he asked.

Recalling the report of the high-level committee appointed by the AIADMK government in the wake of the Madras High Court direction, Dr. Ramadoss said illicit and haphazard sand mining had led to deepening of the river beds, widening of the rivers, damage to civil structures, depletion of groundwater tables, degradation of groundwater quality, sea water intrusion in coastal areas, damages to the river systems and reduction in biodiversity.

“The usage of machineries for removal of sand has caused river bed erosion, collapse of banks, damage to infrastructure like bridges and transmission power lines and drinking water systems,” he said, quoting from the committee report.

The PMK leader said all political parties supported the AIADMK government’s decision to run the quarries since the objective was to put an end to all the evils associated with quarrying by private parties.

Dr. Ramadoss said “branding him as a betrayer” would not prevent him from raising his voice against leasing out quarries.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu