The district administration has swung into action against Regal Granites and Stone Works at Palamarathur in Jawadhu Hills for blatant violation of norms in quarrying minerals worth several crores of rupees for over a decade now.
Collector Dr Vijay Pingale’s recent inspection of the quarry exposed gross violations by the owners. Selvaraj and his son Sugumar of Ambur forged documents to obtain patta for 6.9 acre of land in Palamarathur panchayat in hills in 1986 stating that they were members of a Scheduled Tribe, said sources in the district administration.
The duo obtained UDR patta for 6.9 acre of land (survey number 115/1B, 115/2B and 119/2B). They further obtained state government lease three times from the mid-1980s for quarrying in 115/1B and 115/2B. “Now, they have taken lease for 20 years from 2005 to 2025,” said an official in Department of Mines and Minerals.
“As per GOs and rules, non-tribes are not entitled to own even a piece of land in Jawadhu Hills. However, Selvaraj and his son bought the lands claiming that they were from the ST community. It was found out during record verification following the raid,” said a highly placed source in the district administration.
The owners allegedly encroached upon poromboke land and carried out quarrying there violating a GO that forbade any such activity.
“The Collector has directed to compile a detailed report to be sent to the State Government recommending cancellation of the permit and also stern action against them,” said the officer. A show cause notice would soon be sent to the owners of the firm, sources added.
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