20 units of illegally mined sand near Ambur seized

TIRUPATTUR More than 20 units of river sand that was illegally mined from the dry Malattaru River, a tributary of Palar River, was found at Machampattu village on Wednesday. Revenue officials said that based on information from farmer and social activist J. Paranthaman, a team of revenue officials and the police inspected a private open land near the river, where huge quantities of river sand were stored in the open.

“Based on preliminary assessment, we have found over 20 units of river sand illegally kept in the private land. We have sealed the premises for further inspection by the Water Resources Department (WRD) team, for public auction of the seized sand,” S. Devi, Tasildar (Pernambut), told The Hindu. A farming village, Machampattu forms part of Pernambut Panchayat Union in Vellore district.

Farming is a major occupation of residents in the village. Most of the farmers depend on the river for domestic consumption and irrigation purposes. “Over the years, illegal sand mining has turned the perennial river into a seasonal waterbody. Illegal sand mining in the river also depleted groundwater in surrounding farming villages,” Mr. Paranthaman said. Along with residents, Paranthaman, who cultivates paddy and groundnuts in his farmland in the village, have registered complaints of illegal sand mining in the river to the district administration including VAO, tahsildar and Collector.

However, the petition he sent to Chief Minister’s Grievances Cell recently has made revenue officials probe into complaints of illegal sand mining in the river. It was around 11 a.m, Oomerabad police got in touch with Mr. Paranthaman about the complaint on illegal sand mining in the river. Along with the local police, revenue officials led by tahsildar Devi had inspected the site where they found a large quantity of river sand stored in the open.

Revenue officials said that as per norms, mining of river sand, including for government purposes like construction of school buildings and Anganwadi centres, is prohibited in the State. For government infrastructure works, sand could be procured at designated government sand quarries in the district. Revenue officials said that once WRD completes assessment of the seized river sand, a public auction will be made.

Revenue officials said that the revenue earned in the public auction will go to the State exchequer. Legal action will also be taken on the landowner, identified as Navin, for illegal mining of river sand. A probe is under way.