The Hindu : Front Page : Revenue from mines at Rs. 19 crore

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Revenue from mines at Rs. 19 crore

Special Correspondent

MADURAI: The mines sector in the district has earned Rs.19.18 crore revenue during 2008-09 by way of royalty, Seigniorage charges, penalty and lease, according to officials.

Out of the revenue earned, the officials of the Geology and Mines department had apportioned Rs 8.83 crore to the respective panchayats in the district up to March 31, 2009 for their development activities.

At a review meeting, Collector N. Mathivanan directed the officials to be vigilant and ensure that unauthorised transportation of minerals was checked.

A joint team comprising the revenue, police, mines, PWD and TWAD had seized 39 vehicles up to August from different parts of the district as they allegedly indulged in sand mining. Speaking to The Hindu, Deputy Director (Geology and Mines) J. Rajaram said that 311 vehicles were seized for unauthorised transportation of minerals and river sand during 2008-09. The officials had imposed fines and collected penalty of Rs 1.35 crore.

Apart from seizure of vehicles, 130 bullock carts were seized at different locations in the district as they attempted to lift river sand. Penal action had been initiated; Mr. Rajaram said and added that there were no PWD sand quarries in the district. In Vaigai river, sand quarrying operation had been banned and the requirement of sand for the district was met from other sources.

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