Southern States - Kerala   

MLA questions motive behind permits for sea sand-mining

By Our Staff Reporter

KOLLAM Jan.7. The RSP(B) leader, Shibu Baby John, MLA, has said that mystery shrouds the purpose behind the moves being made to issue permits for sea sand-mining in the State.

Speaking at a press conference here today, he said that though it is claimed

that the sea sand is meant for construction, the fact is that the country does not manufacture the kind of cement which can facilitate the use of sea sand for construction.

Mr. Shibu pointed out that the basic requirement for the use of sea sand in construction is the availability of cement with sulphide content.

This kind of cement is neither manufactured in the country nor available here. Moreover, no efforts are seen being made for the availability of sulphide content cement. Hence, the whole intention behind the need to permit sea sand- mining on a large-scale remains questionable, he said.

He said permitting sea sand-mining would also prove to be a disaster to the marine eco system and hence the fishing community would be in the forefront to strongly oppose any such move. Mr. Shibu said that he expects the Government to be wise enough drop the whole move.

With regard to the privatisation spree, he said that privatisation of public sector undertakings (PSU) should be considered only as the last resort. The bane of the public sector undertakings is the continued use out dated technology and lack of professional management.

In a situation where such PSUs enjoyed monopoly, profits could have been made. But things have changed and entered a highly competitive environment.

Changes to meet the same should be effected instead of vouching for outright privatisation as the remedy for the poor performance of the PSUs, he said.

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• `Indian democracy in peril'
• REGP exhibition showcases rural products
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• MLA questions motive behind permits for sea sand-mining
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