Land distributed to poor turns sand mining spot

RAMANATHAPURAM: Land given free of cost to the poor to raise coconut trees at Kalkinattruvalasai near Nagachi here is used for sand mining, a study by the government officials have found. The study was done after a villager submitted a petition to the district administration in this regard.The Congress government had allotted about 230 acres of land to the poor in 1962 under the Agriculture and Coconut Development Scheme. At least 34 people, including six Dalits, were given five acres each to raise coconut trees. The coconut saplings were also supplied by the government. But the beneficiaries sold the land to several others at low rates. The pipeline provided for agricultural activities and the motor room, both set up using government funds, were vandalised by miscreants. Thus even the 20-foot-deep well is no longer useful. Most of the plots have been fenced and coconut and palm trees removed. Instead houses have come up in the area.Recently Erulandi of Nagachi alleged that some people were involved in sand mining in the area. Acting on his petition, the officials conducted a study and found violation of government norms. Revenue divisional officer Muthukumaran said that a report based on the study would be sent to government soon.