Kerala CM misled assembly on mineral-sand mining: BJP

Kottayam: BJP state vice-president Shone George on Friday alleged that chief minister V D Satheesan’s statement in the state assembly on mineral-sand mining in coastal areas contradicted facts and was tantamount to misleading the House.After the state budget announced a policy to allow private participation in the coastal mineral-sand mining sector, the CM clarified that “privatising mineral-sand mining is not the govt’s plan”. However, this does not align with the govt’s own records, George said.A memorandum submitted to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) clearly states that Telangana-based Midwest Ltd and Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) reached an understanding.

George presented the copies of this, along with supporting documents, at a news conference.“This understanding arose from a tender issued by KMML. Accordingly, there are provisions to ensure the company receives the raw materials needed to process minerals, including monazite, and to permit the use of KMML’s two acres of land and required infrastructure. The documents also stipulate that raw materials collected by KMML must first fully meet this company’s needs before being supplied for other purposes,” he said.

The collection and handling of strategic minerals, including thorium-bearing monazite, is a matter tied to national security, he said.George said the CM’s claim in the assembly that private companies have no role in such a sector is unrealistic and a grave concern.He added that since procedures with this company already began on May 6, the subsequent budget announcement of a privatization policy strengthens suspicion over whether it was made to benefit this firm. He demanded that the govt immediately withdraw from steps that could affect national security.