Tamil Nadu updates,28-2-2025
Statement Issued by Tamil Nadu BJP Spokesperson ANS Prasad
Minister Durai Murugan Must Take Moral Responsibility and Resign Over Illegal Sand Mining
Illegal sand mining continues unabated across Tamil Nadu, allegedly with the involvement of officials from the Water Resources Department and district administrations. This large-scale exploitation of the state's natural resources has severely impacted fertile land, agriculture, and groundwater levels. The administrative failure is undeniable. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin must take immediate action and dismiss Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan from his position.
If the Chief Minister hesitates to remove a minister accused of corruption, then Durai Murugan himself must take moral responsibility and resign. His failure to curb illegal sand mining—conducted without environmental clearance—has endangered the livelihoods of farmers and caused irreversible damage to water bodies.
Currently, Tamil Nadu is witnessing an alarming surge in illegal sand mining. The minister responsible for water resources is allegedly shielding those engaged in sand looting, emboldening corrupt government officials. Despite repeated warnings from the Supreme Court, this illegal activity continues unchecked.
For instance, in Kallakurichi district’s Thirukoilur region, sand is illegally transported in trucks using Poclain machines, especially at night. Shockingly, this looting occurs near drinking water supply projects meant for nearby villages and industries, threatening groundwater levels.
Similarly, in Tuticorin district’s Mullakadu coastal area, illegal soil extraction using Poclain machines generates daily unauthorized sales worth crores. Reports indicate that a single truckload of illegally mined sand is sold for ₹5,000 to ₹7,000, leading to an estimated revenue loss of ₹200 crore to ₹300 crore for the Tamil Nadu government.
Despite these blatant violations being widely reported in newspapers and television channels, the district administration, Water Resources Department, and other state officials remain silent. Their inaction suggests complicity in this illegal trade.
In the past, media reports have highlighted illegal sand mining in districts like Madurai, Tiruppur, and Thiruvallur. However, due to the government's negligence, the problem has now spread to Kallakurichi and Tuticorin as well.
Even the Supreme Court has issued notices seeking an explanation for these violations, yet the Tamil Nadu government has failed to respond. This raises serious concerns about the rule of law in the state.
Why is Chief Minister Stalin Protecting Sand Looters?
Illegal sand mining depletes the environment, renders agricultural lands infertile, and damages water bodies. How can the state government ignore such large-scale plunder?
Licenses for soil excavation must be issued only after thorough environmental assessments and public consultations. However, illegal gravel extraction continues across Tamil Nadu without following any legal or environmental regulations. Why hasn’t Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan revoked the licenses of those involved in this sand theft?
Instead of enforcing the law, government officials appear to be supporting this illegal trade. This has led to large-scale destruction of farmlands and a drastic drop in groundwater levels.
Despite clear government regulations, unauthorized gravel extraction for commercial purposes continues unchecked. Shockingly, officials responsible for monitoring this illegal activity remain silent, enabling sand mafias to operate freely. Whistleblowers—including sub-collectors, tahsildars, and village officers—who attempt to expose this corruption face threats, attacks, and even murder.
Meanwhile, criminals involved in sand mining surrender to the police without fear, secure bail, and continue to intimidate those who oppose them. Under the Dravidian Model government, this lawlessness threatens democracy itself. Is the Chief Minister unaware of these dangerous developments?
In 2018, Tamil Nadu resident M. Alagarsamy filed a petition in the Supreme Court regarding illegal sand mining. On December 22, 2024, the court ordered Tamil Nadu and four other states to submit a detailed report by January 27, 2025. The Tamil Nadu government’s response remains unknown.
Chief Minister Stalin must respect the Supreme Court's directive and take immediate steps to curb illegal sand mining. He should establish a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, to probe this issue.
Furthermore, the Enforcement Directorate has already reported that illegal sand mining in Tamil Nadu has resulted in a financial scam worth ₹4,730 crore. The Tamil Nadu DGP has been advised to take action, yet no concrete measures have been implemented.
Demands:
- Immediately halt illegal sand mining across the state.
- Order a CBI probe into the murders of activists and government officials who exposed the sand mafia.
- Seize the assets of those involved in illegal sand mining.
Failure to act will only reinforce the perception that the Tamil Nadu government is complicit in this organized looting of the state's natural resources.
A.N.S. PRASAD
Tamil Nadu BJP Spokesperson
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