HC: Act against officials who failed to prevent sand mining

Madurai: Madras high court has directed the Sivaganga district administration to initiate action against officials who failed to prevent illegal sand mining in Thoothai village in the district.The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Chinnamari. The petitioner stated that certain private individuals were involved in sand mining activities in Thoothai village. The illegal activities resulted in destruction of agricultural lands and depletion of groundwater resources. Despite submitting several representations, the authorities failed to take steps to prevent the illegal mining activities. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking a direction to the authorities to prevent illegal sand mining in the village.In the status report, authorities submitted that a taluk level task force committee, headed by the Thiruppuvanam tahsildar, conducted a field inspection on March 10, in Thoothai village. The committee reported that no active mining activities were found. However, the committee found signs of removal of minerals in certain places.Based on its findings, the committee recommended initiation of action against the concerned landowners and offenders under Rule 36-A of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959. The Sivaganga revenue divisional officer already sent a communication to the Sivaganga district deputy director of geology and mining to take appropriate action against the pattadars and other people involved in the illegal activities.A division bench of justice N Sathish Kumar and justice M Jothiraman observed that on perusal of the materials available on record, it is seen that illegal mining of sand has been detected in certain places. Taking into account that action has already been set in motion, the judges directed the authorities to ensure that appropriate proceedings are carried out in accordance with law. The judges also directed the authorities to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the officials who failed to take timely action and remained spectators to the illegal mining activities, within four months. The petition was disposed of.