The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Lorry owners seek review of decision on sand quarry

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Saturday, May 24, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Lorry owners seek review of decision on sand quarry

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Sand Lorry Owners’ Association’s Federation has appealed to the government to reconsider its decision to lease out sand quarrying.

At a meeting held on Thursday Federation members pointed out that the government should invite them to the all party meeting slated for Monday to discuss the issue.

“There are over 50,000 lorry owners in the state who will be affected by the decision. Privatising quarrying would only increase the price of sand. Today two units of sand are being sold at Rs. 626. Privatising would increase the cost of sand to Rs. 3,000,” said R. Panneerselvam, general secretary.

Several members pointed out that with the government holding control, there was no report of government officials being targeted as used to be the case when quarrying was in private hands.

“Even under the supervision of the government some people are indulging in malpractices. They lift six units of sand when only two units are allowed. Such malpractices will become rampant if quarrying is privatised,” said S. Yuvaraj, president of the body.

The members said they had been seeking a committee with members from the Revenue, Mines and Minerals, Police, Public Works and Metro Water Board departments to prevent mismanagement of quarrying.

“Sand is an essential material that should be nationalised. By privatising it the price of sand would go up and this would affect the common man,” Mr. Panneerselvam said. “We welcome the Chief Minister’s announcement to invoke the Goondas Act against those who indulge in illicit quarrying.”

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