Tamil Nadu government rejects charges of illegal shifting of minerals out of the State and over-mining in quarries

Minister Duraimurugan addresses concern over illegal mineral transportation, announces e-transit pass, and surveillance drone use for monitoring

Rejecting the charges that minerals were being illegally shifted from Tamil Nadu to neighbouring States, Minister for Minerals and Mines Duraimurugan said in the Assembly on Monday that vehicles was being checked thoroughly at the checkpoints on the inter-State borders. He also announced that e-transit pass and e-grant of minor minerals would be introduced in the State in phases.

“Without our permission, even a small piece of rock could be taken away,” he said in response to the concern voiced by Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami and AIADMK deputy floor leader R.B. Udhayakumar. Officials were checking vehicles transporting minerals at Puliyarai to ensure compliance with norms. The government had confiscated over 21,100 vehicles since 2021-22 for violating the rules.

Referring to a case seeking a ban on the transport of minerals out of the State, Duraimurugan said the High Court had allowed the movement. “So, we are not allowing it illegally. We are allowing the transport of minerals only within the provisions of law.” Seigniorage fees and contributions to the District Mineral Foundation Trust and the Green Fund were being collected before the minerals were shifted to other States.

As for the charges of mining of minerals in quarries beyond the authorised limits, the Minister pointed to the use of surveillance drones. Of the 203 quarries surveyed, violations were found in 152 and a fine to the tune of ₹74 crore was imposed. The second round of checking was under way at 114 quarries, he said.

Making announcements for 2025-26, Mr. Duraimurugan underlined the need to amend the the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, and said the State would constitute a committee to recommend amendments. The Union government had amended the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, in 2015 and 2021; but some of the provisions in the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules were not in line with the Central amendments, he pointed out.

As for e-despatch slips, the Minister said that since February this year, the lessees of major and minor minerals in 17 districts were being issued e-permits for transporting minerals from mines and quarries to their destinations. “The other districts will be brought under the e-services in a time-bound manner,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Udhayakumar alleged that minerals were being “illegally” transported out of the State through various districts, but the government remained “unconcerned”. It had led to a revenue loss to the exchequer, the former Minister said.