Category: Representation to Medias

Reply given by one Australian Customer about the false news published by a selected paid news reporters

Collusion Of Officials With Beach Sand Miners Revealed In Internal Report

 

The spin on this internal Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) report is interesting. Nowhere does the internal IBM report suggest collusion by any of its employees. This allegation is made in this report by ’EAS Sharma, retired bureaucrat who is a keen environmentalist’ (last page para 6). There is no other explanation as to who Mr. Sharma is nor to his expertise in these matters and his comments come with no context. Hence his opinion proves nothing and is an unfounded allegation only.

Therefore the headline of this report is misleading and incorrect.

On the 2nd March 2015 in response to unstarred question N0, 1086 in the Indian Lok Sabha the then Minister of State for Steel and Mines answered a question specifically related to illegal mining, its definition and the application of the relevant Act and regulation across India by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and which explained the procedures adhered to by the IBM for monitoring of mining across India. It specifically states:

‘At the start of mining activity a tentative scheme of mining is conceptualized based upon preliminary information on geology and reserves. Laying the limits for annual production for the entire life span of a mine, which is generally 20 – 30 years, at the time of approval of mining plan, is not practicable for the following reasons:’ Three reasons are then provided.

As per the IBM internal report it was normal up until the Shah report was released in August 2015, for retrospective approvals to be granted and hence not illegal. Finally one further important point made in this parliamentary report:

‘IBM has been allowing deviation up to 20% of the tentative annual production indicated in the approved mining plan/scheme of mining’.

These statements go to the very heart of this second report by Sandhya Ravishankar (SR) for they do provide an explanation for the actions by the IBM employees which were applied across all India and largely negate the thrust and allegations of this second report. Hence my detailed responses to S. Ravishankar’s second report are as follows:

 

Section headed ‘What does IBM have to do with Beach Sand Mining’.

  • Page 2 para 4: There are two errors in this paragraph. Firstly a margin of 20% was automatically allowed but of more relevance is that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act 1957, does NOT stipulate a quantity of mineral to be mined. Each mining lease makes a provisional estimate and then this is adjusted once mined tonnages are known and the reasoning for this is given in the Minister’s reply in the Indian Parliament and referred to above – Lok Sabha, Unstarred question No. 1086, 2nd March 2015.

 

  • Page 2 paras 6 & 7: These two paragraphs unwittingly encapsulate the confusion that became apparent in the mining approvals process between January 2007 and July 2016. IBM could approve the mining plans for garnet and sillimanite alone until July 2016 and up until January 2007 the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was responsible for rutile, zircon, ilmenite, leucoxene and monazite. However in January 2007 when the DAE delisted rutile, zircon, ilmenite and leucoxene from the Atomic Minerals prescribed substances list, they claim that from that date they had no responsibility for the issuing of approvals for the mining of these minerals and hence the responsibility rested with the IBM. However the required corresponding change to the Mineral Concession Development Rules 1988 (MCDR) also delisting the four minerals WAS NOT MADE (Reply affidavit to Amicus Curiae report filed by the second respondent (Dept. of Atomic Energy), dated 25th September 2017) so IBM also stated that without this change in the MCDR they were also not responsible for the mining approvals for these four minerals. Hence both the IBM and the DAE said that they had no responsibility for these minerals from January 2007. Hence possibly incompetence and a fight between these two Government departments may well be the reasons behind the poor application of the two Acts/Regulations. Certainly the industry was confused and anecdotally relate stories of paperwork being held in limbo as the two departments denied responsibility.

 

  • Page 2 para 8: SR fails to advise that the Mineral Concession Development Rules she comments upon from February this year have been the subject of a stay order in the Andra Pradesh High Court and hence at this time private participants are still allowed to mine mineral sands (excepting monazite). This important point should not be overlooked (High Court of Andhra Pradesh, 15th March 2019, Justices Kumar and Murthy, Writ Petition no. 3335, 2019). This should not have been left out as the reasoning behind the stay order was a lack of fairness which may make the ruling unconstitutional and which is an important judgement related to this report.

 

Section headed ‘What triggered the Inquiry’.

  • Page 2 paras 9: SR makes the statement that ‘The trigger for the inquiry was the role played by their own officials in helping the illegal mining and transportation of beach sand minerals…’ and attributes this finding to the Amicus Curiae (AC). Once again the statement needs to be made that the findings of the AC are still being tested in court and are NOT FACT and have been rejected by the IBM in their report. The same findings by the AC against employees of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) were also strongly refuted in the DAE’s reply affidavit to the AC’s submission and dated the 25th September 2017. The DAE state (Page 4 point 4):

 

‘At the outset, it is submitted that all allegations made against the second respondent (DAE) as contained in the status report are denied as false and vague and deserves to be dismissed in limine’.

 

  • Page 2 para 10: As per my previous statement there is no fixed production quantity under the MMDR Act and allowances were made by the IBM across all mining for the reasons given in the answer provided in the Lok Sabha on the 2nd March 2015.

 

  • Page 2 para 11: The IBM in their internal report stated that ‘The approval of Mining Plan without site inspection was mainly because the mines were not operational ‘(page 77 point 7).

 

  • Page 3 para 1: The issue of 50% recoveries (which the AC deems impossible) is frankly wrong and again is addressed by the Dept. of Atomic Energy in their response to the AC, dated the 25th September 2017. On page 10 Point 12, second para the DAE states:

‘In view of the above, higher grades in the mining areas compared to AMD exploration reports are possible in some cases. Hence the allegations of influencing officials of AMD are not borne out of facts’.

Secondly in the most recent addition of the IBM Indian Minerals Yearbook 2018, 57th Edition, Ilmenite and Rutile, page 15-5, 5th paragraph makes the following statement:

‘In dry mining, beach washings laden with 40 – 70% Heavy Minerals (HM) are collected through front-end loaders and bulldozers for further concentration….’

Further during the drilling and exploration work we undertook between 2001 – 2004, it was not uncommon for grades of mineral to be well in excess of 50% and in several cases we found areas where the heavy mineral content (beach sands) were in excess of 90%. These three points once again show the AC’s lack of knowledge of the industry and again this illustrates why it is not reasonable nor fair of SR to make statements based upon the untested allegations made by the AC.

  • Page 3 paras 2-4: Certainly the IBM admits in its report that there were lapses on the part of several officers to work within the full range of their powers but, as noted by SR (page 1 para 6), the report states clearly that the lapses were not intentional and ‘are due to the practices in vogue at that time’ (IBM report point 7, page 77). However these practices were applied by the IBM across ALL mining in India (Lok Sabha answer dated 2nd March 2015) and not just mineral sands and hence do not support any claims of ‘collusion’ as alleged in this report.

 

  • Page 3 paras 5 – 7: Clearly there is confusion here between the royalty paid (3% of sale price as ad valorem basis – Bedi report page 561) and sale price. SR here states two different values being the

 

‘sale price of garnet was Rs 377 per MT for Tamil Nadu’ (para 5) but then states ‘while a mere Rs 377 per MT was being collected as royalty’ (para 8). Hence this is yet another incorrect statement.

 

Further, claims that this was ‘causing years of loss to the state exchequer’ is clearly not economically sound as no sane business would sell garnet domestically at Rs 377/tonne when they were achieving between ‘Rs 15,000 to 18,000’ as the actual export price. Hence any argument that the exchequer would be losing revenue is not rational for all miners would have been exporting at the higher price and paying the 3% royalty rate which was beneficial to the exchequer.

 

Section headed ‘Who are these officials & what did they do’.

Regarding the 14 cases examined the opening statement by SR given below is completely unsubstantiated. She states:

‘Let us look at some of the cases where officials turned the other way or even actively colluded with private miners to allow illegal mining of beach sand minerals to continue’.

This statement is designed to lead into the case studies and yet no proof of collusion is provided beyond this opinion. To state at the top of each box ‘Illegality’ describing activities that were approved by the IBM and then proceed to make an assumption that these approved activities were illegal and indicate collusion between the IBM employees and the mining companies, are not supported by fact. Clearly the matter is far more complex than these statements indicate and once again show that there is a narrative being followed in this article rather than an investigation supported by facts. Hence SR’s strident claims of illegality and collusion do not hold up to scrutiny.

As explained previously there are no limits provided for in the MMDR Act nor in the MCDR which restricts production and as advised in both the internal IBM report AND the response to a question in the Lok Sabha, the retrospective granting of licences and production was standard procedure for the IBM across India.

In response to the final paragraphs of this second report (pages 9 & 10) the following comments can be made:

  • Page 9 paras 1 – 7: The IBM report does explain in some detail the reason for the lapses it found in the application of the rules associated with mining in the 64 leases examined. However as explained before this is a complex matter made worse by the lack of clarity as to which department was actually responsible for oversight from January 2007. However at no time does the IBM report ever draw the conclusion that there was collusion between the mining companies and the employees of the IBM. Further (para 7,) as far as I can determine, the issue of allowing for replenishable reserves in mining areas not on the beach only occurred in one instance and it was a lease held by Indian Garnet Sand Company who was found to be illegally mining without the correct licences in 2007. At no time did the IBM report state that ‘The one lapse admitted to by the IBM is that of hiking the replenishment reserves in mining plans in a bid to help the miners mine more’.

 

  • Page 10 para 6: It is in this paragraph that the opinion of EAS Sharma is given but as previously stated, his opinion, presented without context, authentication or proof of any collusion from reputable sources, is irrelevant.

 

  • Page 10 para 10: S. Ravishankar’s final point regarding the time of reckoning is a critical point for not only will the various Government departments noted face this reckoning but so will the Amicus, the Bedi report and the Sahoo report be subject to the same scrutiny.

 

In summary:

  • There are several factual errors in this second report and once again a lack of knowledge of the industry is shown.

 

  • Once again the article relies upon one report and does not take into responses from other participants in the matter such as the DAE and their response to the AC’s report to the High Court or the actions of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

 

  • Important facts relevant to the matter such as the method of operation common to the IBM and its employees are left out.

 

  • Erroneous statements and headings are used which attribute findings of collusion to the IBM report when no such finding was made by the said report.

 

  • The use of third party opinions stating collusion with no context, explanation or proof is misleading.

 

  • Inflammatory statements are made with no proof or substance behind the allegations.

 

  • Continued reliance upon reports from the AC which have not been tested in court again expose this report to the criticism previously expressed that this second report is one sided and lacks accuracy.

Time of India News is wrong

Our association send one clarification letter to Times of India for the wrong news publish by them. This is for the information of our members.

**********

———- Forwarded message ———
From: Pauldurai Perumal <president@beachminerals.org>
Date: Tue, Feb 26, 2019 at 10:04 AM
Subject: Objection to your article “Private Firms jolted by Beach Sand Mining Ban”
To: <grievance.toi@timesinternet.in>, <Ananth.MK@timesgroup.com>, <arunramonline@gmail.com> and others

Date : 26.02.2019

To

  1. Grievance Officer,

Plot No. 391, Udyog Vihar, Phase – III,

The Times of India

Gurgaon, Haryana 122016, India

Ph: 0124-4518550

grievance.toi@timesinternet.in

  1. The Chief Editor, Times of India, Mumbai
  2. The Editor, Times of India, Chennai
  3. Grievances Redressal Officer, Times of India, Chennai
  4. The Editor, Times of India, Madurai
  5. Grievances Redressal Officer, Times of India, Madurai

Dear Sirs,

We Beach Minerals Producers Association (BMPA) established in the year 1995, to make the Manufacturers & Employees of the beach minerals (atomic minerals) industry join hands for common issues and organize them through a common platform to develop Beach Minerals (Atomic Minerals) Industries. There are 61 nos of Beach Mineral Mining Leases, which are functioning under the guidance of this Association. The efficient and valuable guidance of the Association, lead to bring our country as largest producer of Garnet in the World.

Today we have gone through an article has published in your esteemed Newspaper wherein “Private Firms jolted by Beach Sand Mining Ban” have been reported by your reporter with baseless evidences and to prejudice the judiciary. This has been reported by your reporter Mr. K. Antony Xavier.

Perhaps your reporter may be unaware about the Environmental Activist Mr. Lal Mohan. He is basically very old man and presently he has become ineffective due to his age. Earlier he was so active and he used to get funds from different sources, similar to all NGOs. All Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli District persons know him well and Mr. Lal Mohan is not a Real Environmentalist, but he is working for money. Now really he is starving for money due to his age and restriction from the Government against Funding from other countries. Daya Devadoss utilised the opportunity and this has made Mr. Lal Mohan to collude with Daya Devadoss. Now Mr. Lal Mohan is funded by Daya Devadoss. Earlier daya Devadoss utilised the Retd. IAS officer Mr. Sundaram. Now Daya Devadoss is utilising Mr. Lal Mohan and started playing games.

Here we have to say some thing about daya Devadoss. You may kindly aware that Daya Devadoss is working against Private Beach Sand Mining with malafide intention. You can see a lot by visiting the videos in http://www.beachminerals.org/video-home/ .

Mineral sand industry has been in India since 1919. It was Privatized after 1965. However after 1998,  all other associated minerals were allowed, except Monazite. India’s Mineral Sand export was increased. Revenue through Foreign exchange was also increased. Job opportunity in the most back ward rain shadow area, was also increased, due to mineral sand industry. Our Association Members have played a vital role on the systematic development of this profession and up to date on latest development. The M/s.V.V. Mineral Company’s share on systematic development of Mineral Industries is very high. The study book Rochelle published in the UK in 1995 revealed that M/s. V.V. Mineral’s Garnet Production, made India’s 14th place, to reach 5th place. Likewise, in 2000 they have listed, M/s.V.V. Mineral has overtaken the world’s No. 1 producer Australia’s M/s. GMA Garnet Group company. Thus the affected foreign companies started filing the false complaints, with the aid of M/s. Indian Garnet Sand Company owner Mr. Daya Devadas, a politician who has been detained for 25 years with the M/s. V.V. Mineral, by forming an fake Association called Federation of Indian Placer Mineral Industries. Thus, a false complaints were filed against M/s.V.V. Mineral, by the Daya Devadas company, which distanced the attention of the Government and Daya Devadas carried out illegal mining works. Due to his illegal mining, his mining lease rights were cancelled. For carrying out the above illegal activities, he will keep everyone in the hands, ranging from of the retired high-ranking officers to Paid Reporters such as Sandhya Ravi Shankar. The video about the conspiracy plot in this way is in our website, both in English and Tamil.

Now all of sudden Daya Devadoss started supporting M/s. Indian Rare Earths Ltd. (IREL). Similarly Mr. Lal Mohan also deviating from his earlier position and supporting IREL. Here it is important to mention that, earlier both Mr. Lal Mohan and Daya Devadoss were strong opposers of IREL. This is similar to the proverb “Goat is wetting Wolf is crying”.

Actually the Government Company, M/s. Indian Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) only carrying out Illegal Mining. You can find a lot in goo.gl/7cirVv .

IREL is operating the plant and mining without any Environmental Clearance for the past 25-30 years, after the introduction of Environmental Laws. Since they are Government Company, Government officials are not taking any stringent action against IREL. Then also some incidents that some District Collectors and senior Government Officials took action against IREL and ultimately IREL will go to court and operate their plant. With the strong opposition from the local publics and IREL mining operations were stalled for few months for want of Environmental Clearance. To overcome this issue they could able to obtain the Environmental Clearance during the month of April 2018. Now also out of four mining leases IREL is having Environmental Clearance for only two leases. That two leases are not in operation for the past 20 years for want of Environmental Clearance. This is the position of IREL regarding Environment. Whereas your Newspaper is supporting the Government Company. Whereas, our association members were granted mining lease only after getting Environmental Clearance or commencing mining operation only after getting EC.

Also, IREL only involved in mining from sea shore. Due to rampant mining the grade of beach sand get depleted. To overcome this issue IREL is doubling their Capacity of Mining. Even after doubling the capacity of mining their out put has depleted. Due to rampant mining by IREL in beaches, lead severe sea erosion in all beaches were observed. The sea erosion due IREL mining is well known fact to all the Kanyakumari District Public.

Thus IREL is having four mining leases. Out of 4 only 2 ML is in operation. Balance 2 ML is not in operation for want of EC. In the operating 2 mining leases, one ML is fully submerged under the sea. Whole extent of 7.06 Hect  of this Mining Lease is under sea. Another one Mining lease, out of 141.22.69. Hect almost 100 Hect submerged under the sea. By knowing the fact several officers tried to demarcate the mining lease area. But IREL not ready to fix the boundary pillars, since fixing of boundary pillars inside the sea, is not practically possible. Thus IREL is not ready to lay the boundary pillars and demarcate their area. Thus IREL is involved in Illegal and Rampant Mining for the past 20 years. This has caused about 200 people death Tsunami in Colachel village, which is part and parcel of IREL  Mining Lease.

Whereas, our association members are carrying out mining operations in their own Patta Lands. Those lands are purchased by them and they are having surface right over the land. Also those land are lying quite away from sea shore. These details are readily available in all Government Departments.

Our association members lands are getting mineralised due to wind. Our association members mining leases are in East Coast. In the East Coast wind is predominant.

Whereas IREL is having mining lease in West Coast and mineral deposition happens due to tidal waves. In the West Coast, tidal waves are predominant.

The above factors have been well proved by different agencies such as CESS, Anna University etc after carrying out detailed study.

Also, in your news paper you have published that our association members are involved in exploiting thorium and exporting it to Australia, China and Russia.

This Statement is viewed very seriously by our association mmbers and heavy objection and disagreement is observed in multiple ways.

You may kindly aware no country involved or master in exploitation of Thorium. Thorium is like a mad dog. Our country also still in Pilot Plant stage. Thorium Production and Thorium based reactors require multiple stage of safety. Also, at present no country is technically sound enough to produce Thorium as such.

All ports and harbours are well equipped and furnished with sophisticated equipment to restrict  abduction or illegal export of Thorium.  You can find out the same in http://www.dae.nic.in/writereaddata/parl/winter2017/lsus896.pdf . Particularly through Tuticiorin Port, which has the facility, no such material is exported. You can find out the in http://www.beachminerals.org/complaint-export-monazite-private-beach-mineral-companies-false-tuticorin-customs-confirmed/ .

Whereas the newspapers like you, without understanding the real facts and are propagating such news on   wrong information  will affect our members. Already more than 50000 persons are affected by directly and indirectly due to stoppage of Private BSM industries.

Hence you may kindly appreciate our views and considering the severity of the issue, kindly publish our clarification in your news paper.

With Kind Regards

Secretary

Beach Mineral Producers Association

Objection to the false news written by Sandhya Ravishankar

As usual the paid News reporter Sandhya Ravishankar published one Article with ulterior motive. From our Association, we registered our objection to the media which is given below for our members information.

 

From: Pauldurai Perumal <president@beachminerals.org>
Date: Fri, May 11, 2018 at 1:51 PM
Subject: Objection to Sandhya Ravishankar Article published in your media on 10.5.2018
To: legal@huffingtonpost.in


Dear Sir,

This has reference to your articles published in HUFFPOST on 10.05.2018 as “Exclusive : Atomic Minerals found in Tamil Nadu Beach Sand Samples Meant for export, says report”.

At first we want to mention that, the author Sandhya Ravishankar is working with the competitors of Tamilnadu Beach Mineral Producers. Some of the overseas competitors also close in hand with her. The River Sand Mafia who want to usurp this industry also financing her to spread false rumors against this industries.

So whatever Sandha Ravishankar wrote, normally she cook the story with 99% imaginary and 1% fact. Already number of criminal cases filed against her by our association members for publishing false news.

Regarding Atomic Mineral, the Titanium bearing minerals Ilmenite, Rutile, Lucoxene and Zirconium mineral zircon also listed in Atomic Minerals for the reasons best knows to Government.

In your news, she has mentioned that, the possibility  of using monazite to extract nuclear grade Thorium. Please note all over the world no place Thorium is used to convert Uranium or it is not used in Nuclear weapons. All the countries are in the research. Number of researches are going on just like to run the car by sea water and to produce Uranium from sea waves and even from trees (Link : http://www.beachminerals.org/uranium-can-produced-various-items-iaea-report-reveals-fact/  and https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/article/how-extract-uranium-seawater-nuclear-power)

Like that this is only research stage. But to prejudice the judiciary and Govt., machinery and public Sandhya has wrote this.

She further mentioned that, certain samples found to contain monazite higher than the prescribed limit. What is the prescribed limit? Where is the notification?  Without any documentary evidence is it fair to publish such type of news? All these are naturally occurred beach minerals. No one has control over the same. You can find out the reply from DAE. (attached)

The monazite is not permitted for export. It is in negative list. Every port has the facilities to find out the radioactive materials and monazite in another minerals. All the vehicles should pass through the scanner and in case any unwanted material or monazite is found, that mineral will be detained and it will not be permitted for export. You can find out the said fact in http://www.beachminerals.org/tuticorin-port-trust-has-scanner-to-find-out-radioactive-materials-uranium-thorium-monazite-or-other-unwanted-materials-used-for-export-until-now-no-such-materials-found-in-the-export-cargo-tutico/

The monazite content is very high only in Manavalakurichi,   west coast of Kanyakumari district and not throughout Tamilnadu. The said Manavalakurichi area is leased to IRE Ltd, a Govt., company. The East coast area were leases granted to private companies content monazite percentage less than 0.5%. As per the Atomic Minerals Concession rules 2016, wherever the monazite content in the total heavy mineral (THM) is more than 0.75%, only the government entities are allowed to mine and produce the minerals and no private entity is allowed to mine such deposits.

 

Monazite contains 0.35% of uranium, 8-10% of thorium and 65% rare earths. Rare Earth is today’s sought after material and China is dominating the world with a 95% share. Just now only Indian Govt., get the technology from Japan for cracking monazite. Accordingly IRE Ltd is establishing the same in Orissa State.

 

Monazite is a contamination to other mineral products. If it contain in other mineral products, automatically this will be rejected. All over the world monazite is freely available, so Govt., of India stopped the monazite production from 2004 itself. It is replied in the parliament by the Honourable Minister for unstarred Question No. 420.

There are scanner facilities to find out monazite or other radioactive material enter the Port. Till now no material enter port.

 

There are different isotope of Thorium and Uranium. The Thorium and Uranium available in the monazite is Th-232 and U-232. Which could not be used for any purpose. But it is a radioactive material, a health hazard. So no country will permit import of monazite. Some countries previously purchase monazite from IREL for production of rare earth oxide. Now they stop the purchase. Hence IREL stop production of monazite from 2004 itself.

 

The Uranium used for power plant or other purposes are U-235 or U-238. Like that, researches are going on all over the world to find out whether, this type of thorium can be used for any purposes, just like the other research that whether sea water can be used as fuel for car. But without mentioning the isotope of the Uranium and Thorium available in the monazite, our competitors and amicus simply told that, Thorium and Uranium are fuel for Nuclear power plants, so to protect the same, beach mineral mining should be stopped.

 

Monazite is freely available all over the world. Hence IREL itself stop production in 2004.

 

The cost of monazite is less than other minerals. Since monazite is negative list of export, it cannot be exported either direct or indirect way.

 

All export products, random samples will be taken by the customs and analyzed their lab. If radioactive material is found, automatically the customs authority will black list the exporter and he cannot export in future. Hence no one will burn their finger for a meagre amount.

 

Any heavy mineral found to contain even traces of monazite is automatically rejected by the customers, as, all the countries are prohibiting import of radioactive material.

Every ship has separate scanner and alarm facilities to find out radioactive material to protect the employees of the shift as they will sail it in months. So there is no possibility to export monazite or thorium in any of the ship directly or indirectly blended with other mineral. Real fact is, no party will export monazite. But this wild allegation is made only with ulterior motive to prejudice the authority and judiciary.  Every persons from DAE and AMD knows that Thorium cannot be used for illegal purposes and cannot be exported. They have issued two press releases refuting the allegations.

 

All the above allegations are a tailor made false allegation to curb beach mineral export which is a competition to them.

          Sandhya Ravishankar has mentioned about the Sahoo report. In fact the Honourable High Court has directed the registry to furnish copy to the parties advocates to submit comments on the above said reports. Till today our members did not receive the copy through their advocates as most of the advocates fly to other places for vacation. So without going the same, no one can give any comments on the same.

In fact, the above fact have been replied to her by some of our members. But she wantonly hide the fact that she received reply. We don’t know how Sandhya can able to get a document from the High Court without order from the Honourable High court when the matter was sub-judice. For your reference I separately forwarded the reply send to Sandhya and the acknowledgement send by her.

In fact, some of our members requested her to send the report copy with annexures if any so that, they can send their comments. The said mail was acknowledged by her. But you have not reflected the above facts in your news.

So kindly publish our clarification in your media and send the link for our reference.

Thanking you,

Regards

Pauldurai @ Perumal

DAE RTI – Approved monazite percentage as per IAEA

Our objection mail send to Mongabay digital media about beach mineral industry

——— Forwarded message ———-
From: Pauldurai Perumal <president@beachminerals.org>
Date: Sat, Feb 10, 2018 at 12:10 PM
Subject: Objection to your article “Demand for sand leads to global ecological crisis” published on 8.2.18
To: mongabay@mongabay.com, maria@mongabay.com, editor@mongabay.com

Sir,

            This has reference to your article “Demand for sand leads to global ecological crisis” in your official website on 8th Feb 2018.

We register our objection for the above said news relating to Tamilnadu beach mineral mining.

In your article you have referred that, illegal beach sand mining for construction purpose.  Please note in India beach sand will not be used for construction purpose. But Industrial heavy mineral (beach minerals) are permitted to mine from the beach with proper mining lease granted by the State Govt., with the approval of the Central Govt., and with Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ ) clearance  issued by Govt., of India and approved mining plan duly approved by Govt., of India.

 

The CRZ Clearance will be issued after detailed study of EIA and EMP reports prepared by the authorized agencies who are having accreditation from NABL, Govt., of India.  The Mining plans also can be prepared by the registered qualified person duly approved by Govt., of India. In addition to in India, Ministry of Mines, Indian Bureau of Mines implemented Satellite Surveillance system to find out illegal mining. Hence there is no possibility for illegal mining. Before implementation of the above said system,  two companies by name Indian Garnet Sand Company and Southern Enterprises which are  associated with Ex-Central Minister Mr. Dhanuskodi Adithan involved in large scale illegal mining, the government take stringent action and determine their mining leases. By going through the article, we can understand that, it is based on the inputs from one Sandhya Ravishankar.

 

In fact, Sandhya Ravishankar is gang member who are threatening industrialist in a modern way and demand money. In Tamilnadu her title name is paid news reporter Sandhya Ravishakar. If we pay some money to prepare a story against a persons or a group she will perfectly do the same. Since she is a woman, our Indian law protect her.

 

They all are criminals.  Retired IAS officers and IPS officers also in the part of gang.  They will collect money and share among them. A small portion is spend to the fellow reporters and some digital shell media’s. Some printed media’s who did not receive any advertisement from VV Mineral group companies also joined with them. The officers who are in service also by misusing the power do some wrong. You can see the video available in http://www.beachminerals.org/video-home/   which will establish that, one district Collector has done wrong as per the advice of the Retd. IAS officer who is also a gang member. You can also find out the documents and complaint petition against the District Collector on the above said website.

A sizeable gang joined hands in spreading false stories against Tamilnadu Beach Mineral Industries. For this they get remuneration not only from other state competitors, but also from overseas competitors for Indian Beach Minerals.  This gang operates FOR MONEY  comprises of VVM competitor Daya Devadas, an ILLEGAL MINOR, and retired government officials like Ramanujam, IPS, Sundaram, IAS, Prof.Victor Rajamanickam and also some officers in power. Sandhya Ravisankar also one of the gang member. The above combo of rivals of VV Mineral with paid news writers Sandhya Ravishankar and more freelancers, brings up false allegations against VV Mineral. The ultimate motive is to spoil the fame of Mr. Vaikundarajan and to destroy his business and to prejudice the judiciary as well as Government against VV Mineral.  Sandhya’s Husband company delta4cast demand some contract in News-7 Tamil which belongs to VV Mineral Group company. Since Ravishankar demand was not complied, both husband and wife spread false stories in various ways. This personal enmity also one of the reason.

Sandhya Ravisankar has been continuously placing false allegations against VV Mineral, without any proof. Already Sandhya published a false news in the Economic Times, when we send reply they themselves accept that, the facts are not verified and published clarification available in http://www.southernmines.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Economic-Times-Apologise-news.jpg

Lot of documents, evidences and reply to the wild allegations made by Sandhya and other shell medias for money all are available in the following links.

www.beachminerals.org

http://vvmemp.blogspot.in/

http://vetri3337.blogspot.in/

You can find out the same.

 

All the reported matters on “beach Mineral mining in Tamilnadu” in your article are absolutely farcical and bereft of truth in them.   All these reports are totally false and baseless.  The PIL writ petition is filed by one Victor Raja Manikam who is the employee of VV Mineral competitor Mr. Dhayadevadas. Since the writ petition is pending before the court, we don’t want to disclose more about the same. In fact, without environmental study and environmental management plan and public hearing, no environmental clearance can be granted.  So your article regarding beach sand mining is false. We have more than 10000 employees who are working in the beach mineral mining. No single employee or their family member were affected either kidney ailments or cancer or any other major disease until now. It is pertinent to point out here that no such ailments to the people living in the village adjoining to the mining area.  But for the money get for spreading the false news , the paid news reporter gang spread this false news. You know very well that kidney ailment is a common all over the world.

 

All the allegations levelled against the beach mineral industries were already leveled by paid news report Sandhya Gang. Competent officials make detailed enquiry and submit report refuting the allegations. All the report copies and the motive behind spreading this type of false news including the nexus among the gang members all are available in our official website www.beachminerals.org  in video form as well as documents.

 

In fact, in Tamilnadu except Govt., of India Company, Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) , all the private beach mineral mining lessees has obtained Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Clearance from Govt., of India and other Govt., agencies.

 

For your information during 2004, Tsunami in Tamilnadu, except private mining lease area, Govt., company mining lease areas are affected. Particularly more than 400 people died in a Govt., Company mining lease area village Colachel of Kanyakumari District, as, their operation is without getting CRZ clearance.

 

Thanks to National Green Tribunal (NGT), which stayed the operations of all the beach mineral mining lessees without CRZ Clearance.

 

All over Tamilnadu total 61 beach mineral mining leases granted to private companies. Out of which five mining lease belongs to Southern Enterprises and Indian Garnet Sand Company were determined by Government for illegal mining of 3.9 million M.Tons. You can see the same from our website.

 

You have mentioned that, export is made after the stoppage of mining operation. Is there any restriction to export the existing royalty suffered minerals available with the lessees and reflected in the stock register prior to the stoppage?

 

Therefore, your report reflects the article cooked by paid news reporter Sandhya Ravishankar. A section of Medias are here to write against Tamilnadu private mining lessees for which they have get remuneration. If you go through our association website you can find out lot of information about the motive and nexus behind this false news spread against our members.

One of our member VV Mineral have filed two criminal cases against Sandhya Ravi Shankar for misreporting the facts, and it is still pending.  She also filed one civil case against VV Mineral, which is also still pending in the City civil court, Chennai.

Everybody knows that the work allotted to Sandhya Ravishankar is to make negative and false stories against Tamilnadu beach mineral industries particularly VV group companies and thereby prejudice the judiciary. Whenever there is a hearing in the High court, she will aptly publish a false story just to prejudice the judges and create undue influence on the judges by sending the link to them through twitter or through mail. This is what Sandhya are paid for and that is exactly what she has done so far.  We are very sad to inform you that, it is not right to publish a news against this beach mineral industry even without a cross verification with the concerned persons or our association.

 

Paid news reporter Sandhya Ravishankar husband also creating the fake stories and hand over the same to Malayalam media which are close to her husband.

 

Since the pending case will be listed for hearing in the High Court very near, she and her husband and other gang members make this publish through your digital media.

 

So Please go through the above said links and find out the real fact and motive about this people who are writing for money and publish our objection in your website.

 

Regards

N.Pauldurai @ Perumal

President

Copy of mail send to Ecologist for one adverse news published about Tamilnadu Beach Mineral Mining

From: Pauldurai Perumal <president@beachminerals.org>
Date: Fri, Feb 9, 2018 at 10:41 AM
Subject: Objection to your Article on 08.2.18 as “They stole the beach’ – the major mafia that almost nobody wants to talk about”
To: michael@emsm.org.uk, editor@theecologist.org, accounts@resurgence.org, members@resurgence.org

Sirs,

            This has reference to your article on 08.02.2018 as “They stole the beach’ – the major mafia that almost nobody wants to talk about”

              In your article you have referred lot of beaches. You mentioned about the beach mineral mining in Tamilnadu. One of the person mentioned by you is Mr. Ravi Shankar, who is non-other, but the husband of paid news reporter Mrs. Sandhya Ravi Shankar.  We send our objection relating to the news of beach mineral mining in Tamilnadu.

In fact, Sandhya Ravishankar is gang member who are threatening industrialist in a modern way and demand money. They all are criminals.  Retired IAS officers and IPS officers also in the part of gang.  They will collect money and share among them. A small portion is spend to the fellow reporters and some digital shell media’s. Some printed media’s who did not receive any advertisement from Mr.S.Vaikundarajan group companies also joined with them. The officers who are in service also by misusing the power do some wrong. You can see the video available in http://www.beachminerals.org/video-home/   which will establish that, one district Collector has done wrong as per the advice of the Retd. IAS officer who is also a gang member. You can also find out the documents and complaint petition against the District Collector on the above said website.

A sizeable gang joined hands and is continuously harassing VV Mineral and its owner Mr. Vaikundarajan. This gang operates FOR MONEY  comprises of VVM competitor Daya Devadas, an ILLEGAL MINOR, and retired government officials like Ramanujam, IPS, Sundaram, IAS, Prof.Victor Rajamanickam, Danuskodi Adithan, EX.Central Minister and also some officers in power. Sandhya Ravisankar joined this gang through her close friend Radhika, daughter of Sundaram. The above combo of rivals of VV Mineral with paid news writers Sandhya Ravishankar and more freelancers, brings up false allegations against VV Mineral. The ultimate motive is to spoil the fame of Mr. Vaikundarajan and to destroy his business and to prejudice the judiciary as well as Government against VV Mineral.  Sandhya’s Husband company delta4cast  demand some contract in News-7 Tamil which belongs to VV Mineral Group company. Since Ravishankar demand was not complied, both husband and wife spread false stories in various ways. This personal enmity also one of the reason.

Sandhya Ravisankar has been continuously placing false allegations against VV Mineral, without any proof. Already Sandhya published a false news in the Economic Times, when we send reply they themselves accept that, the facts are not verified and published clarification available in goo.gl/ZP7vdV

In the Mafia Gang, some Retired IAS, IPS officers also members including Mr.Ramanujam, Retd. DGP. Ramanujam and Sandhya Ravishankar will regularly meet in a coffee shop namely ANOKHI CAFÉ opposite to Park Plaza Hotel in the smoking zone and they prepare the criminal plan. When VV Mineral take steps to file criminal case, to avoid the same, Sandhya has filed a civil case against the company which is also pending.

Lot of documents, evidences and reply to the wild allegations made by Sandhya and other shell medias for money all are available in the following links.

www.beachminerals.org

http://vvmemp.blogspot.in/

http://vetri3337.blogspot.in/

You can find out the same.

All the reported matters on “beach Mineral mining in Tamilnadu” in your article are absolutely farcical and bereft of truth in them.  Due to business rivalry and   personal jealousy and animosity,  the former Union Minister Thiru. Dhanushkodi Adithan associated company’s (M/s.Indian Garnet Sand Company) one of the partners viz., Thiru Dhayadevadoss in collusion with the said Union Minister’s political influence  has been in the habit of spreading false  reports through all types of media.  All these reports are totally false and baseless.  The 100% verification reports of the officials of Central and State Governments in the past  will testify to the fact that the reports being circulated through the media are farce and nothing but false.  In so far as beach sand mineral concessions are concerned, clearances from as many as 10 various departments of both Central and State Governments have to be necessarily obtained as per the mandates of the “statutory rules” without which no mining leases for beach mineral sand can be obtained and operated.

           All  the allegations levelled against M/s.V.V. Mineral were all examined in detail  by  various authorities then and there and all the report copies were obtained under RTI and posted in our website www.beachmineral.org .

           In fact, in Tamilnadu except Govt., of India Company, Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) , all the private beach mineral mining lessees has obtained Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Clearance from Govt., of India and other Govt., agencies.

            For your information during 2004, Tsunami in Tamilnadu, except private mining lease area, Govt., company mining lease areas are affected. Particularly more than 400 people died in a Govt., Company mining lease area village Colachel of Kanyakumari District, as, their operation is without getting CRZ clearance.

            Thanks to National Green Tribunal (NGT), which stayed the operations of all the beach mineral mining lessees without CRZ Clearance.

            In your article, you have mentioned that lot of quantity have been illegally mined and transported. In fact there is no need for this. All over Tamilnadu total 61 beach mineral mining leases granted to private companies. Out of which five mining lease belongs to Mr. Dhanuskodi Adithan Ex.Congress Central Minister Group were determined by Government for illegal mining of 3.9 million M.Tons. You can see the same from www.beachminerals.org.

            You have mentioned that, export is made after the stoppage of mining operation. Is there any restriction to export the existing royalty suffered minerals available with the lessees and reflected in the stock register prior to the stoppage?

            In India already satellite Remote Sensing facilities are established by Govt., of India, Ministry of Mines. It will find out the illegal mining and send report to the State Government. So there is no possibility for illegal mining.

            Therefore, your report against  beach sand mining in Tamilnadu may be collected from some Indian Medias who are dancing according to our competitors tune. A section of Medias are here to write against Tamilnadu private mining lessees for which they have get remuneration. If you go through our association website www.beachminerals.org   you can find out lot of information about the motive and nexus behind this false news spread against our members.

 One of our member VV Mineral have filed two criminal cases against Sandhya Ravi Shankar for misreporting the facts, and it is still pending.  She also filed one civil case against VV Mineral, which is also still pending in the City civil court, Chennai.

Everybody knows that the work allotted to Sandhya Ravishankar is to make negative and false stories against Tamilnadu beach mineral industries particularly VV group companies and thereby prejudice the judiciary. Whenever there is a hearing in the High court,  she will aptly publish a false story just to prejudice the judges and create undue influence on the judges. This is what Sandhya are paid for and that is exactly what she has done so far.

Her husband also creating the fake stories and hand over the same to Malayalam media which are close to her husband. We believe that they get remuneration for this stories from  overseas competitors also.

Since the pending case will be listed for hearing in the  High Court very near, she and her husband and other gang members make this para reflect on your article.

            So Please go through the above said links and find out the real fact and motive about this people who are writing for money and  publish our objection in your website.

Regards

N.Pauldurai @ Perumal

President

Our objection mail to New Indian Express Article “Greed for atomic minerals to leave Tamilnadu in peril”

From: Pauldurai Perumal <president@beachminerals.org>
Date: Sat, Oct 14, 2017 at 8:26 AM
Subject: Objection to your article “Greed for atomic minerals to leave Tamilnadu in peril”
To: writetous@newindianexpress.com, feedback@expressindia.com, rvsm@newindianexpress.com, jayshree@newindianexpress.com

To

 

The Editor,

New Indian Express,

Chennai

Sir,

 

This has the reference to the article in your paper under the heading “Greed for atomic minerals to leave Tamilnadu in peril” is damaging the entire beach minerals industry in India and Tamilnadu in particular without any understanding of the issues involved. The article links the MOEF notification to totally unconnected report of the amicus curie appointed by the court  is subjudice.

 

We are bringing to your attention that the use of the  word “horrific” amendment mentioned in the article shows that the article written without any understanding of the reality and the meaning of the notification. Mining of atomic minerals/ rare minerals are already permitted activity in CRZ, the only requirement was that clearance needs to be obtained.

 

The article mentions that Tamilnadu has the highest concentration of the monazite mineral which is not really true. The monazite content is very high only in Manavalakurichi,   west coast of Kanyakumari district and not throughout Tamilnadu. The said Manavalakurichi area is leased to IRE Ltd, a Govt., company. The East coast area were leases granted to private companies content monazite percentage less than 0.5%. As per the Atomic Minerals Concession rules 2016, wherever the monazite content in the total heavy mineral (THM) is more than 0.75%, only the government entities are allowed to mine and produce the minerals and no private entity is allowed to mine such deposits.

 

Another  apprehension is that these resources may land up in foreign soil. India has almost one third of the world’s reserves of ilmenite mineral, but accounts for a mere 4% of global production. There is huge growth potential for BSM in India, but until now it has  not received the  focused attention of the Governments to develop this industry. The strategic importance of these minerals and the possible downstream industries to produce value added products from Ilmenite,  zircon and monazite remains an untapped opportunity till now. If these can be achieved will give  a boost  to the manufacturing sector and economic development of the country with significant revenues. Monazite contains 0.35% of uranium, 8-10% of thorium and 65% rare earths. Rare Earth is today’s sought after material and China is dominating the world with a 95% share. Just now only Indian Govt., get the technology from Japan for cracking monazite. Accordingly IRE Ltd is establishing the same in Orissa State. The statement that “Tamilnadu has already been plundered violating CRZ norms “ is not at all true. It is worth mentioning that only Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL) is mining on the beach and as a public sector, without getting CRZ clearance. All the private mining lessees have obtained  CRZ clearances and comply the terms and conditions. Hence it is not possible to plunder due to strict guidelines being followed. For your information, during Tsunami more than 400 persons died in IRE Ltd mining lease area surrounding villages. Whereas there is no causality near the private mining lease areas, since they follow the CRZ norms strictly.

 

Another point mentioned is that maximum erosion occurred at Sippikulam, Kalaignanapuram and Periasamypuram zones. So far no beach sand mining activity is going on these areas. This itself makes it clear that the erosion is not due to beach sand mineral mining and there is no evidence so far to prove that beach sand minerals mining is causing erosion. You know very well that beach erosion is a global issue due to Global warming. You yourself has published number of articles about this. The scientist you mentioned Dr.Chandrasekar is close friend Dhayadevadas, he has created forgery documents to support Dhayadevadas and Govt., also ordered enquiry about him. We are ready to furnish the above details to you. For your information there is no sea erosion in any of the private beach mineral mining lease areas, since they follow the CRZ conditions strictly.

 

It is mentioned “ that no comprehensive study has been brought to public forum about the health effects of these radiations. “The incidences of cancer has been rising over the decades and most victims from Manavalakuruchi and Midalam, approach the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram or the International Cancer Centre , by CSI Medical Mission at Neyyoor. “These cases are however are not mapped back to radioactivity,” he said claiming that the incidence of the disease is relatively lower the farther one lives from atomic mining areas. This statement shows the total ignorance of the individual who had made it. If the above statement is true, why peoples are affected by cancer in other areas. When the employees who are working full time with this minerals  are not affected, how the general public will affected? The beach sand minerals mining and separation normally removes the radioactive monazite from the background reducing the background radiation which normally affects public. The background radiation levels is normally reduced by a factor of five to ten where the mining is carried out and these had been already studied and recorded by agencies like AERB and BARC.

 

If the minerals occurring on the coast if not mined when accretion happens, is normally carried to the neighboring  countries due to the tidal waves and is a loss to the nation.

 

We request that these facts may also be brought to the attention of the public as well as the concerned departments.

Yours truly

N.Pauldurai@Perumal

President

Beach Mineral Producers Assocition

Our objection to EJatlas and their reply

From: Joan Martinezalier
Date: Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 1:46 PM
Subject: from the EJAtlas, “Sand mining in Tamil Nadu”
To: president@beachminerals.org, EJOLT Project <ejoltmap@gmail.com>

Thank you for your message and for the information regarding this case. We have withdrawn the case on Sand mining in Tamil Nadu from the EJAtlas, in order to rewrite it as two separate cases, i.e. separating conflicts on sand and gravel mining in rivers and beaches as a raw material for the building industry,
and (as a separate issue) possibly conflicts on sand mining in beaches for ilmenite and other materials (if they exist in Tamil Nadu, as they exist in other countries – we have to do more research this). For instance, in the EJAtlas we have cases on conflictive ilmenite mining in sand dunes in Madagascar, South Africa (https://ejatlas.org/conflict/pondoland-wild-coast-xolobeni-mining-threat-south-africa). Are there similar cases in Tamil Nadu, and elsewhere in India? Your help on this issue would be appreciated.
Sincere apologies for the incovenience caused. You are right to complain. We shall take carefully into account all the information you have sent. With out best wishes,
———
Prof. Joan Martínez-Alier
ICTA-Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
08193 Spain

www.envjustice.org


———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Pauldurai Perumal <president@beachminerals.org>
Date: Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 11:48 AM
Subject: Objection to the article “Illegal Sand Mining in rivers and beaches in Tamilnadu, India” published on 12.04.2017
To: leah.tmer@gmail.com, ejoltp@gmail.com
To,The EditorEnvironmental Justice Atlas

Sir,

We draw your attention to the article “Illegal Sand Mining in rivers and beaches in Tamilnadu, India” published on 12.04.2017, in your website. The author has grossly mixed up two separate and completely different activities namely River sand mining and Beach sand minerals mining clearly indicating complete lack of understanding of the topics. Further, the article is based on speculative media reports grossly misleading the public at large.

We present below the facts regarding Beach sand mineral mining which will help you understand the truth and you will realise that  the accusations made in the published article against beach sand mining are malafide, false and imaginary intending to discredit the business and bring disrepute to people engaged in this business.

1)       Beach sand mineral mining is a permitted activity in the coastal regions as per Law. In fact, Beach Sand Mineral mining activity has been in existence for several decades in Tamilnadu and public sector company  Indian Rare Earths ( IREL)  was the first entrant into this field. Subsequently other private companies also entered into this activity and presently both public sector and many private companies are engaged in this BSM business in Tamilnadu.

2)       The article contains several sweeping and irresponsible statements like “Laws remain in paper only”, Environmental clearances through bribery”, “ Violations of regulations ” etc. All these statements are false and baseless and as you can read below, there are Rules governing these minerals and there are various approvals required to carry out Beach Sand mineral mining.

We wish to add the VV Minerals has all these necessary approvals and has been carrying out its operations in accordance with the Law.

3)       Beach sand minerals (garnet, ilmenite , zircon, rutile , sillimanite , monazite) are classified as major minerals and placed in Schedule I- Part B – Atomic minerals in the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act. Mining leases are granted by the State Government after getting the approval from the Central Government. In addition, there are several clearances and approvals obtained from various statutory and regulatory authorities as follows:

  1. a) Clearance from Ministry of Enviornmnet and Forest (MOEF), Govt. Of India and also the State Pollution control board
  2. b) Licence from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for operating the BSM plants.  There are regular inspections by AERB and mandatory submission of regular returns to AERB to ensure compliance.
  3. c) Mining Plan Approval by Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD), Govt of India. Mining leases are granted only after submission of Approved Mining Plan. In addition there are regular inspections by IBM and submission of regular returns to these departments to ensure compliance.
  4. d) Approval from Directorate of Mines Safety (DGMS), Ministry of Labour, Govt. of India to ensure Safety in Beach Sand Mines. The BSM mines are subjected to Regular Inspections by DGMS and have to submit statutory returns.
  5. e) Directorate of  Geology & Mining  (DGM), Tamil Nadu State Govt. is the authority which grants mining leases. Transport permits are obtained from the district officer of DGM after royalty payment.  The district officers of DGM issue permits after verification of the mine sites.

4)       The statement “Vaikundarajan doing illegal mining worth 96,000-  crore in the last decade” is a completely false and baseless accusation without any supporting facts. Please ref para 5: http://www.beachminerals.org/wild-allegations-leveled-v-v-mineral-v-sundaram-ias-found-wrong-motive-envy-vindictive-far-away-truth/.  As mentioned above, VV Minerals owned by Vaikundarajan has secured all necessary approvals to conduct its business . Further, there are public sector and other private companies engaged in this business and Vaikundarajan is being singled out in these accusations by certain journalists like Sandhya Ravishankar due to personal animosity and ulterior motives. The article in your website is also based on these false accusations in media to troll Vaikundarajan and thus the media is misusing their freedom of press to malign him and his business.

5)       The article also purports to create misconceptions and fears about beach sand mining. These misconceptions are imaginary with no scientific basis. Beach sand mineral mining is a very environmentally friendly activity and the following highlights of this activity will dispel any negative bias towards beach sand mining.

             a) In the coastal tracts beach sand minerals are excavated from shallow pits varying in depth from less than a foot to about a few feet depth. The excavation of beach sand is done manually without deployment of any heavy earth moving equipment and so there is no air or noise pollution.

            b) After extraction of the valuable minerals, the barren sand is backfilled into the excavations. Thus, the  land is reclaimed and restored to its original topography.

         c) the deposition of the beach sand minerals onto the beach is a continuous process replenished by natural geologic processes and hence there is no disturbance to the beach topography by this activity.

          d) All the excavations are above the water table and so this activity does not disturb the groundwater table. Hence there is no impact on the groundwater resources or its quality.

6. Sandhya Ravishankar is paid news reporter engaged by one illegal mining gang. You can find more about her in http://vetri3337.blogspot.in/ , http://vvmemp.blogspot.in/ , http://niyasah01.blogspot.in/

Please publish the same in your website.

Yours Truly

N.Pauldurai @ Perumal

 

Deccan Chronicle published one News about the sea erosion in Kanyakumari District very close IRE Ltd mining lease area which operate without CRZ Clearance. This will affect our members. Hence a clarification letter was send to Deccan Chronicle informing that, there is no sea erosion. Hence there is no sea wall in any of the private mining lease area or surrounding area. The above clarification send Deccan Chronicle is published below for our members and General public information.

To

The Editor,

Deccan Chronicle News Paper

SP-3, Developed Plot,

Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai – 600 032

Sir,

This has reference to the news item published in 17.06.2016, Deccan Chronical, Chennai Edition 2nd page under the Heading of “Four TN Beaches make Dirtiest Stretch”

 

In this connection, I want to bring the following facts to publish your paper. Mineral sand mining, if mined with proper CRZ clearance, it will not affect seashore or the coastal area.  For example, during the Tsunami all the Tamilnadu Coastal districts are affected, whereas, there is no damage either to the seashore or to the people, where beach mineral mining leases are granted to private parties. The main reason  they have complied the conditions of CRZ clearance and the mining operations are under the Direct supervision of Mining Manager, Mining Geologists and other statutory appointed qualified persons.  Hence there is no damage to private mining lease areas. Meantime, Govt., of India is also operating this beach mineral mining under Central Govt., company in Manavalakurichi, Lakshmipuram, Kollachel villages, where during the Tsunami more than 400 lives were lost on that area. The main reason is IRE Ltd was carrying out mining activities without proper CRZ Clearance under CRZ Notification and they continue to operated the mines even now without clearance. That is why, the erosion is very huge on that areas.

 

You have simply mentioned the beach mineral mining has affected the coastal stretch. Please note all the area where you indicated the road damage etc., are under IRE Ltd mining lease.  Vested interest persons who claim that they are environmental experts and fighting against private mining lessees did not open their mouth against IRE Ltd for operating the mine without CRZ Clearance.  But they are repeating allegations against some private mines who are operating the mine with proper clearances. There is no private mining leases granted in any of the above said four areas. Moreover in any area where  beach Mineral mining lease granted to private parties, there is no habitation and no sea erosion. Hence, there is no sea wall constructed by the Government. The main reason is the lessees are complying with the terms and conditions of the CRZ Clearances.

 

Without giving the clarification, simply publishing the News will definitely affect the private mining lessees who are operating in accordance with law. Moreover all the private mining lessees are giving preference only to collect the replenishable deposit.  Hence on any account there is no change for the coast line. If the coast line is affected, MoEF who grant the CRZ clearance will take stringent action.

 

Over exploitation also not possible, as, while submitting application for CRZ clearance EIA / EMP should prepared with experts which contain the yearwise mineable quantity etc., This will be studied by the Expert Committee of the MoEF and based on the Expert Committee report only, the CRZ clearances will be granted.  As a Govt., company, IRE Ltd did not follow any of the regulations relating to CRZ. Their expansion project was already rejected by MoEF.  Even now they continue the mining operation without environmental clearance whereas, mining lessees who obtained proper clearances did not operated the mine for last 2½ year.

 

For your information, all over the world coastal erosion is a serious problem. The main reason is Global Warming etc., The coastal mining leases are granted only in Kanyakumari completely to IRE Ltd who are operating without CRZ clearance and in Tirunelveli, Tuticorin districts selective pockets to private parties with proper CRZ Clearance, where there is no sea erosion or damage to the shore.  But even in non-mining lease area, sea erosion is a serious problem. For example Rameswaram and Nagapattinam Districts. Due to business motive one particular company who have political influence in the previous Central Govt., engaged some Retd. officials to spread rumours against this industry.

 

Dr.Victor Rajamanikam is the Head for this team. A video about this is available inhttp://www.beachminerals.org/video-home/   You can see that.

 

So please clarify the same that, no private mining lessees are operating in the damaged area, which you published the photos.

 

I am attaching copy of letter from Govt., of India , which confirm no CRZ clearance issued to IRE Ltd and copy of show cause issued by Director of Environment and Director’s letter to District Collector to take action against IRE Ltd. More than one decade passes no action by the authorities. But to save this company, the environmental clearance obtained companies are victimized.

 

For your information, I am attaching a link. (http://www.coastalenvironment.org/blog/) You can find out that, all the states in India are affected with sea erosion.   Andaman Nicobar Island is affected more than 86% were there is no beach mineral mining. Hence please publish the clarification in your publication tomorrow.

Yours truly

N.Pauldurai @ Perumal

ஜீனியர் விகடன் பத்திரிக்கை செய்திக்கு மறுப்பு

                                                                                                    நாள் : 29.07.2015
பெறுநர்
உயர்திரு. ஆசிரியர் அவர்கள்,
ஜீனியர் விகடன்,
சென்னை.
அன்புடையீர்,
தங்களது 2.8.2015 தேதிய வெளியீட்டில் “20 வருடங்களில் 10 லட்சம் கோடி பறிபோய் இருக்கும் கார்னட் கணக்கு” என்று திரு.முகிலன் என்பவர் படத்தோடு வெளியான செய்திக்கு இந்த மறுப்பை தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
தமிழகத்தில் வழங்கப்பட்ட சுரங்க குத்தகைகளில் இந்திய அரசு நிறுவனமான இந்தியன் ரேர் எர்த் நிறுவனத்திற்கு வழங்கப்பட்ட சுரங்க குத்தகைகள் மட்டுமே மீனவர் குடியிருப்பு பகுதிகளில் வழங்கப் பட்டுள்ளன. அவர்கள் தான் சுற்றுச்சூழல் அனுமதி இன்றியும் கடலோர மேலாண்மை விதி பாதுகாப்பு அனுமதி இன்றியும் சுரங்க குத்தகைகளை இயக்கி வருகிறார்கள். தனியார் நிறுவனத்திற்கு வழங்கப் பட்ட சுரங்க குத்தகைளில் திரு.தயாதேவதாஸ்க்கு வழங்கப் பட்ட 8 சுரங்க குத்தகைகளும், இதர நிறுவனங்களுக்கு வழங்கப் பட்ட 6 சுரங்க குத்தகைகளும் மட்டுமே அரசு நிலத்தில் வழங்கப் பட்டவை ஆகும். இதர அனைத்து சுரங்க குத்தகைகளும் அவர்களது சொந்த பட்டா நிலங்களில் வழங்கப் பட்டவை. மேலும் அந்த செய்தியில் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ள அளவுகள், தொகைகள் அனைத்தும் உண்மைக்கு மாறானவை.
ஒரு ஏக்கர் நிலத்தை 16 பைசா குத்தகைக்கு என அரசு சுரங்க குத்தகை வழங்கவில்லை. அவ்வாறு வழங்க இயலாது. அதே போல் சட்டமன்றத்தில் அமைச்சர் கூறியதில் தவறு இல்லை. சில ஓய்வு பெற்ற உயர் அதிகாரிகள் திரு.தயாதேவதாஸ் என்பவரிடம் பணியாற்றி அவருக்கு உதவி செய்வதற்காக சட்டத்திற்கு புறம்பாக தற்காலிக தடை என விதிக்க ஆவண செய்தார்கள். இதற்கென பத்திரிக்கைகள், தொலைகாட்சிகளில் தவறான செய்திகள் பரப்பப் பட்டன. இந்த தற்காலிக தடை சம்பந்தமாக ஏற்கனவே உயர்நீதிமன்றத்தில் வழக்கு தொடரப் பட்டு மேண்மை தங்கிய சென்னை உயர்நீதிமன்றமும் மேற்கண்ட தடை சட்டத்திற்கு புறம்பானது என அறிவித்து அதனை நீக்கரவு செய்து ஆணை பிறப்பித்துள்ளது.
இந்த தொழிலில் யாரையும் மிரட்டமுடியாது. ஏனென்றால் இதில் டெண்டர் சிஸ்டம் என்பது பொறுந்தாது. சொந்த பட்டா நிலத்தில் உள்ள கனிமங்கள் நில உரிமையாளருக்கே சொந்தம் என உச்சநீதிமன்றம் தீர்ப்பளித்தாலும் கூட பட்டா நிலத்திலும் அரசின் உரிமம் பெற்று சுற்றுச்சூழல் அனுமதி பெற்று சட்ட விதிகளுக்கு உட்பட்டே தமிழ்நாட்டில் உள்ள அனைத்து சுரங்க குத்தகைகளும் இயங்கி வருகின்றன.
தவறு செய்யும் நிறுவனங்கள் மீது அரசு தயவு தாட்சண்யம் இன்றி நடவடிக்கை எடுத்து வருகிறது. இவ்வாறு சட்டபுறம்பாக சுரங்க பணி செய்த ஒரு நிறுவனத்தின் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கப் பட்டு சுமார் 2¾ லட்சம் டன்னுக்கு மட்டும் அரசுக்கு பணம் செலுத்தி விட்டு சுமார் 39 லட்சம் டன் சட்ட புறம்பாக குவாரி செய்தது கண்டு பிடிக்கப்பட்டு அரசு மேல் நடவடிக்கை மேற்கொண்டது. இந்த நடவடிக்கையை எதிர்த்து திரு. தயாதேவதாஸ் என்னும் அந்த நபர் தாக்கல் செய்த ரிட் மனு, சீராய்வு மனு மற்றும் உச்சநீதிமன்றத்தில் தாக்கல் செய்த சிறப்பு அனுமதி மனு ஆகிய அனைத்தும் தள்ளுபடி செய்யப் பட்டுள்ளன.
ஏற்றுமதி இறக்குமதி என்பது அனைத்தும் ஆவணங்களின் அடிப்படையில் செய்யப் படுவது. தற்போது உலகம் முழுமையும் இவற்றின் விலை விபரங்கள் ஒப்பீடு செய்யப் படும். இதற்கென ITC HS    என ஒரு வழிவகை உள்ளது.
இந்த கட்டுரையில் வெளியிடப் பட்டுள்ள முகிலன் என்பவரும் மேற்கண்ட தயாதேவதாஸ் என்பவரின் சம்பள பட்டியலில் உள்ள நபர் தான். இதற்கான வீடியோ ஆதாரங்களும் எங்களிடம் உள்ளன.
திரு. சுந்தரம் ஐஏஎஸ் என்பவர் 96,100 கோடி ரூபாய் இழப்பீடு ஏற்பட்டதாக ஒரு புகாரை கூறி இருந்தார். மத்திய மாநில அரசு அதிகாரிகள் கூட்டு ஆய்வு மேற்கொண்டு ஆவணங்களை பரிசீலித்து இவை அனைத்தும் உண்மை அல்ல என்பதை அறிக்கை செய்துள்ளார்கள். மேற்கண்ட அறிக்கை நகலும் எங்கள் இணைய தளத்தில் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளது.
எனவே தாங்கள் வெளியிட்டுள்ள செய்தி தவறான தகவல்களின் அடிப்படையில் வெளியிடப் பட்டுள்ளது. எனவே எங்களது இந்த மறுப்பை தங்கள் பத்திரிக்கையில் வெளியிட கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறேன்.
நன்றி
தங்கள் உண்மையுள்ள
நா.பால்துரை என்ற பெருமாள்

Our objection to Frontline News published on 24th July 2015 Edition

Our  Beach Mineral Producers Association send the below mentioned objection letter to the news published in Frontline as “The Mother of All Loot” and “Life is not a Beach” print edition dated 24th July 2015 by Ilangovan Rajasekaran.  We hope they may publish the same in their magazine.

*********

Date : 10.07.2015

To

The Editor,

Frontline Magazine,

The Hindu Group, Kasturi Buildings, 859/860, Anna Salai,

Chennai.

 

Sir,

 

This is with reference to the News of cover story about Beach Sand Mining Heading as “The Mother of All Loot” and “Life is not a Beach” print edition dated 24th July 2015.  .

 

This is one sided story created by Ilangovan Raja Sekaran with ulterior motive only to help Mr.Dayadevadas. For this ill motive, they have used the  Ex-Panchayat president and their gang as a tool. If you go through the website of Fisheries department, you can find out that, there is no reduction or export of fish production on year by year. The over exploitation is the reason for reduction of fishes in sea. Global warming is the main reason all over the world for Sea Erosion.

 

No sea erosion is acquired in any of the beach mineral mining area, as the mining activity is carried out under the direct supervision of Geologist and Mining Engineers etc., Out of 7500 KM of Indian coast line, more than 1500 km coast is eroded, Whereas, mining is in selected packets only. This will establish that there is no connection between sea erosion and placer mineral mining.

           

A Group of fisherman were fed by Mr.Dayadevadas to give statement against the mining industries. We have a video on  our website for this effect, please visit www.beachminerals.org .

 

Mr.Ashish Kumar tampered the documents and created a forgery inspection  report with ill-motive immediately  after he was transferred from Tuticorin Collector. Permission for prosecution was sent to government with documentary evidences. All the documents are available in our websitewww.beachminerals.org.  You can go through the same.

 

Export of minerals does not comes under the purview of MMDR Act. In fact all the private mining lessees obtained proper clearances from MoEF, whereas, Govt., Company Indian Rare Earths Ltd alone not obtained environmental clearance or CRZ Clearance from MoEF.

 

There are videos in our  website, where the fisherman community panchayat president lady told there is no affect to fisher man community due to the beach mineral mining.

 

The picture you have showed with Mr.Gagandeep Singh Beedi is a mined mineral heap. Due to the ban imposed by the State Govt., it could not be transported and thus it become a national waste. The above picture is misused by your reporter to create this article.

 

In fact, the mega scale illegal mining was done by Mr.Dayadevdas alone for a tune of more than 3.9 million Metric Ton. You can visit the same in http://www.beachminerals.org/large-scale-illegal-mining-major-violations-tamilnadu-govt-determine-mining-lease-granted-southern-enterprises-belongs-dayadevadas-claim-president-federation-o/ .

 

 The motivation behind this news is only to prejudice the judiciary and the government. In our opinion, the said reporter may receive a huge ransom for that purpose.

 

Please publish our objection on your print as well as digital medias.

 

With Regards

 

N.Pauldurai @ Perumal

President,

Beach Mineral Producers Association