Wednesday, Nov 27, 2013
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s state cabinet on Wednesday revoked a mining licence following allegations that a bribe of Rs50 million (Dh2.9 million) may have been paid during the previous Left Democratic Front government’s term for the permit.
The state government has cancelled the licence for iron ore mining at Chakkittapara, Mavoor and Kakkoor.
The decision follows a letter from industry minister P.K. Kunhalikutty to chief minister Oommen Chandy seeking to examine whether rules were followed in sanctioning the controversial licences.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala has also asked the government to investigate the allotment of mining licences in Kozhikode district.
Government chief whip P.C. George suggested that a Central Bureau of Investigation probe be carried out with regard to the iron ore mining and quarry licences issued during the previous government’s tenure.
The licences were issued in 2009 when Communist Party of India Marxist leader Elamaram Kareem was industry minister in the LDF government. The driver of a person close to Kareem alleged on Tuesday that Rs50 million had changed hands with regard to getting the licence for mining in Chakkittapara.
Mining and quarrying issues are in sharp focus in the state in the backdrop of the Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats, which seeks to protect the area from environmental degradation.
Farmers in the villages where restrictions on development works have been proposed want the Kasturirangan report quashed. In this context, the licence issued for quarrying and mining in Kozhikode district fuelled resentment across the state.
By Akhel Mathew ?Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
