Sagayam awaits reports

Probe into illegal granite mining reaches final stage

February 28, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:46 am IST - MADURAI

: Having reached the last leg of investigation into the illegal granite mining in Madurai district, the Legal Commissioner, U. Sagayam, is awaiting reports from Central and State government agencies to collate the details of tax evasion, if any, and the quantity of granite mined and exported to various countries.

Notices sent

Informed sources said the High Court-appointed panel had already sent notices to the Department of Income Tax, Department of Customs, Tuticorin Port officials seeking details of the tax and duty paid by various granite exporters.

One of the early petitioners, Murugesan, had alleged that there was a huge difference in the quantity of exports made and the declaration made by the companies on quantity of granite mined.

The panel has also sought similar details of granite quarry operators from the Department of Commercial Taxes.

Mr. Sagayam has also sought from the Madurai rural police details of cases filed over granite mining in villages.

On reported human sacrifice made by granite quarry operators, he has sought details .

Mr. Sagayam has already sought details of officials who had worked in various departments related to giving permission, regulating and monitoring the granite quarry operations between 1994 and 2008.

Meanwhile, an aerial survey of quarries was carried out for the third consecutive day on Friday.

Aerial survey of quarries was carried out for the third consecutive day

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