Govt has no plans to stop Alappad mining: E P Jayarajan

Thiruvananthapuram: No plans to stop mineral sand mining in Alappad in Kollam, said Industries Minister E P Jayarajan in Assembly on Tuesday. He was answering to the Opposition’s adjournment motion.

Responding to the ongoing protests at Alappad and the Opposition’s call for suspending all mining activities, the minister said there were some vested interests behind the agitation.

The government will ensure that mining does not harm the people in the area, he said.​

In the coastal area from Neendakara to Kayamkulam, there are huge deposits of minerals. It is the state’s fortune. Thus, Kerala can earn crores of rupees from it boosting our economy, he said.

Also, mining is carried out by the public sector companies. Given this, the opposition to the mining is an attempt at undermining Kerala’s industrial growth.

The protesters were positive at the reconciliation meeting in January agreeing to stall agitation. But some external forces again influenced them to continue the protest.

The UDF’s stand against mining was pointless, as the report tabled by Committee on Environment, led by Mullakkara Ratnakaran MLA, also recommended mining.

Meanwhile, the Opposition staged a walkout protesting the government’s stand as well as supporting the protesters