Vigilance to Submit Report by Month-end, Says Official

Vigilance to Submit Report by Month-end, Says Official

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), which had initiated a probe into the illegal quarries at Mookkunnimala, will submit its report by the end of this month. The inspection of the remaining quarries that was stopped in between because of incessant rains will be resumed this week, after which a comprehensive report will be filed.

Vigilance had inspected as many as 24 quarries during its raid on August 8. ‘’We will resume the inspection this week itself. It was only because of adverse weather conditions that we could not complete the inspection last week,’’  Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau SP E Sharafudeen said.

He also pointed out that they had only inspected the regions where quarries were functioning with proper licence. ‘’There are many more quarries that have to be inspected. A comprehensive report will be filed once the inspection is complete,’’ he said.

Sharafudeen also said that the service of geologists and Revenue officials was needed to ascertain the actual damage that has been caused to the hill because of illegal quarrying activities.

In the raids that were conducted last week, it is known that the Vigilance had found serious irregularities. Most of the quarries that were raided did not have a valid licence. As per official records, only nine quarries and five crusher units function in the area. But more than 60 quarries are said to be illegally functioning there.

Earlier, the Vigilance, that had conducted an inspection at Pallichal panchayat office, had raised doubts about the genuineness of the documents. They had found out various irregularities in giving permit to the quarries.

source : The New Indian Express