Coimbatore: An RTI regarding the rights and permission given for brick kilns to operate in the Thadagam area revealed that the Department of Geology and Mining has not granted them permission to undertake any mining or stocking of red soil.
Coimbatore: An RTI regarding the rights and permission given for brick kilns to operate in the Thadagam area revealed that the Department of Geology and Mining has not granted them permission to undertake any mining or stocking of red soil.
The RTI filed by M. Manickaraj revealed that brick kilns and chambers in the Thadagam area including Veerapandi, Chinna Thadagam, Nanjundapuram, Sommayamplayam and Pannimadai have not been granted permission under the Tamilnadu Mineral Concession rules 1959, 19 (2), to mine or stock red sand. Earlier the Pollution Control Board, Revenue Department and the local planning authorities also revealed that they had not permitted the kilns and chambers to function.
TNPCB 182 also recommended closure of 182 unauthorized brick kilns by February and March. Similarly seven brick kilns in Veerapandi and Chinna Thadagam were also recommended to stop operations, earlier this month by the District Administration and the Department of Geology and Mining.
The RTI also revealed that District and taluk level teams have been formed to protect mineral resources. Enquiries regarding the action taken on the kilns and chambers that have been given notice for illegal operations revealed that a letter of explanation had been taken from the kiln and chamber owners and since the case is pending in the Chennai High Court, it is still being acted upon.
The RTI also revealed that no report has been submitted to the Head Office of the Tamilnadu Department of Geology and Mining and no site inspection has been conducted. Likewise no action has been taken on them.
As per the RTI, the Task Force Committee that has been formed to control illegal red sand mining, Noyyal sand and clay to protect minerals and prevent mineral looting comprises the District Collector- Chairman, Superintendent of Police, District Forest Officer, District Revenue Officer, RTO, DSP, Assistant Director (Panchayat), Assistant Director (Town Panchayat), Commissioners of Municipalities, District level official from TN Pollution Control Board,Deputy Director (Mines)/ Assistant Director (Mines)- Member Secretary/ Convenor, and the EE (PWD-WRO).
These areas are also protected under the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) and despite notices and recommendations by various authorities and boards, the operations of the brick kilns and the associated sand mining continues to go unchecked.
The RTI filed by M. Manickaraj revealed that brick kilns and chambers in the Thadagam area including Veerapandi, Chinna Thadagam, Nanjundapuram, Sommayamplayam and Pannimadai have not been granted permission under the Tamilnadu Mineral Concession rules 1959, 19 (2), to mine or stock red sand. Earlier the Pollution Control Board, Revenue Department and the local planning authorities also revealed that they had not permitted the kilns and chambers to function.
TNPCB 182 also recommended closure of 182 unauthorized brick kilns by February and March. Similarly seven brick kilns in Veerapandi and Chinna Thadagam were also recommended to stop operations, earlier this month by the District Administration and the Department of Geology and Mining.
The RTI also revealed that District and taluk level teams have been formed to protect mineral resources. Enquiries regarding the action taken on the kilns and chambers that have been given notice for illegal operations revealed that a letter of explanation had been taken from the kiln and chamber owners and since the case is pending in the Chennai High Court, it is still being acted upon.
The RTI also revealed that no report has been submitted to the Head Office of the Tamilnadu Department of Geology and Mining and no site inspection has been conducted. Likewise no action has been taken on them.
As per the RTI, the Task Force Committee that has been formed to control illegal red sand mining, Noyyal sand and clay to protect minerals and prevent mineral looting comprises the District Collector- Chairman, Superintendent of Police, District Forest Officer, District Revenue Officer, RTO, DSP, Assistant Director (Panchayat), Assistant Director (Town Panchayat), Commissioners of Municipalities, District level official from TN Pollution Control Board,Deputy Director (Mines)/ Assistant Director (Mines)- Member Secretary/ Convenor, and the EE (PWD-WRO).
These areas are also protected under the Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) and despite notices and recommendations by various authorities and boards, the operations of the brick kilns and the associated sand mining continues to go unchecked.