File photo of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa
Tamil Nadu government today ordered a probe to ascertain if irregularities have occurred in 71 large mineral quarries engaged in extraction of beach minerals in the state and suspended operations till its completion.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, following up on her action against allegations of illegal mining of beach minerals like Garnet, Ilmenite and Rutile in Tuticorin District, ordered a probe in large mineral quarries in Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari, Madurai and Tiruchi districts.
"A policy decision on large mineral quarries would be taken after the receipt of the report on these quarries," she said in a statement in Chennai.
A special team headed by Revenue Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi, which also included six sub-committees, are looking into the charges of illegal beach sand mining in Tuticorin and would be studying the 71 quarries.
Earlier today, Mr Bedi submitted a report to Ms Jayalalithaa on mining in Tuticorin District after field studies in August.