Mining baron S. Vaikundarajan on Monday denied all allegations made by his brother V.S. Kumaresan relating to beach sand mining and cited family feud as the reason for the allegations. Mr. Kumaresan on Sunday alleged that beach sand mining was continuing in Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, and Thoothukudi districts, despite a ban imposed by the State in 2013.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mr Vaikundarajan said there was no mining activity since the government imposed the ban and claimed that his company was exporting sand after paying royalty to government.
Mr. Kumaresan had also said Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa had been acting at the behest of Mr. Vaikundarajan, who had fallen out of favour with the ruling party. Mr. Vaikundarajan said it was ploy to turn the government against him.