Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Mineral Resources Department is preparing to release a white paper on irregularities reported in granite and sand quarries during previous administrations.
Officials had earlier examined cases of minerals being extracted in violation of rules and prepared reports, based on which penalties were imposed on the concerned firms. However, it is alleged that in many locations the penalty amounts were not collected.
Following the change in government, details related to these penalties have been taken up for review by senior officials. The review has reportedly found instances where penalties were significantly reduced due to political intervention, leading to revenue loss for the state.
Apart from reductions in penalties, the department is also looking into allegations of excess extraction that may have caused further loss of revenue. A department official said loss figures are being compiled mineral-wise and district-wise, and work is under way to publish the white paper based on these findings.
