Tamil Nadu: Over 50 arrested in the Rs 16,000-crore granite scam

September 17, 2012
granite_scam16crore

Madurai, September 17: The Rs 16,000 crore granite mining scam in Tamil Nadu is creating ripples among the high profile. Over 50 people have been arrested and the search is on for union minister MK Alagiri's son Durai Dayanidhi.

Durai Dayanidhi is on the wanted list of the Tamil Nadu police for his alleged role in the illegal granite mining scam. A leaked report by the former Madurai collector blew the lid off the Rs 16000 crore scam. A month later more than 50 people have been arrested and look out notices have been issued against many including Durai Dayanidhi. He was a former director in one of the companies accused of illegal mining.

At Olympus granites, the possible collusion between the government officials and the private operators seems too evident to be ignored. More than half of the entire land belonging to Tamin has been illegally mined by Olympus for years together.

Madurai district SP V Balakrishnan said, "We have taken action against seven companies and against all of them we have conducted an investigation and found illegalities committed in the mines."

On the ground in Madurai, it's clear how the granite mafia could have operated, thanks to the nexus between the government officials and the mining operators.

Private operators would set up quarries very near the government mines. They would then illegally quarry in government land and bring the granite blocks to their own stockyard. The government officials were paid their share every month to not report the theft.

Each granite block of 10 cubic metre is worth Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000. Initial investigations reveal granite worth more than Rs 30,000 crore could have been illegally mined over the past few years.

Madurai Collector Anshul Mishra said, "I have no reason to believe it can happen on its own. Definitely some involvement of government officials was there and as you see that government officials have been arrested because there are incriminating evidences against them"

Sources say politicians from all major parties receive a large share of the loot and that's perhaps why the illegalities have been allowed to continue.


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News Network
January 18,2020

Jan 18: Days after the arrest of Deputy SP Davinder Singh along with two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, Shiv Sena on Saturday questioned the role of police in the Kashmir Valley.

"Cross border infiltration is ongoing in Kashmir. But the police machinery is being used to help the terrorists in Kashmir to safely cross the border (to Pakistan) and a President's medal awarded Deputy SP was arrested for doing so. In Kashmir (it seems), the government is using the police for some other purposes, what will the country's Home Ministry say if somebody has a doubt in connection with the Pulwama attacks," Sena mouthpiece, Saamna, read.

This was in reference to the incident in which Jammu and Kashmir police intercepted a vehicle on Sunday and arrested DySP Davinder Singh along with two top Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, who were travelling together.

The Sena mouthpiece asserted that the impact and acceptance of the Centre removing Article 370 should be visible "through the people" during the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.

"Jammu and Kashmir is now a Union Territory. It is being ruled by the Centre through President's Rule. The government had removed Article 370 in a historic decision...The joy and excitement in the people over the removal of 370 should be visible in the Republic Day celebrations this time. The tricolour should be seen flying over all houses in Kashmir, it is the least that can be expected," it added.

The Sena mouthpiece further said that with the arrest of terrorists in the recent days, it hoped that "Republic Day will be celebrated safely in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir".

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News Network
January 29,2020

New Delhi, Jan 29: The Janata Dal (United) today expelled its vice-president Prashant Kishor and senior leader Pavan Kumar accusing them of "anti-party" activities.

Both the leaders have been attacking the party leadership over its pro-CAA stand.

The spat between Nitish Kumar and Kishor was out in the open yesterday when the former reminded the political strategist that he was inducted into the party on the recommendation of Union home minister Amit Shah.

It all began when Nitish, while talking to the media here, said, “I don’t have any problem if he (Kishor) wants to leave the party. But if he wants to stay, then he will have to follow the basic structure of the party.”

Varma had also questioned the JDU's alliance with the BJP in Delhi Assembly polls while Kishor has more than once voiced his differences with the party known on the issue of CAA and NRC.
 

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News Network
March 5,2020

New Delhi, Mar 5: The primary classes of all schools in the national capital will remain closed till March 31 to prevent a possibility of spread of coronavirus, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced on Thursday.

According to Directorate of Education (DoE) officials, while elaborate guidelines have been issued about preventive measures for coronavirus, students of nursery and primary classes are too young to understand the risk, making them more prone to infectious diseases.

Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio, tweeted, "As a precautionary measure to prevent the possibility of spread of COVID-19 amongst our children, Delhi Government has directed the immediate closure of all primary schools (Govt/ aided/ private/MCD/NDMC) till 31/3/20(sic)."

A senior DoE official said, "Elaborate guidelines have already been issued. However, students of nursery and primary classes are too young to understand the risks associated with COVID-19. Thus they are more prone to infectious diseases and mingle around with classmates more often."

"It will be good if they are trained in the do's and dont's under the care and supervision of their parents at home. However, students of classes other than primary will continue to come to schools or examination centres for writing their examination as per schedule. The teaching, as well as non-teaching staff, will also attend regular school," the official said.

As of now, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 30, including 16 Italian tourists. The figure includes the first three cases reported from Kerala last month who have already been discharged following recovery.

Alerted by the coronavirus case reported in Delhi-NCR, schools in the region have sent out advisories to parents suggesting that they do not send their wards to attend classes even in case of mild cough or cold, and saying that they may declare holidays if the need arises. A few schools have announced already holidays and others have advanced their spring break.

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