Federation seeks to implead in granite case

N K Aswathrma, general secretary, FIGSI, in his plea has submitted that too many baseless allegations about the granite industry in Madurai District for the past four years has pushed the industry to a grinding halt. He further submitted that based on standard genetic defects in granites a mere 10 to 15 per cent of available resources alone becomes exploitable in several parts of the world. But it was unfortunate that authorities here, while measuring losses, invariably adopted a 90 per cent recovery as against the recovery percentage of 10 per cent to 15 percent. 

Even in cases relating to alleged illicit quarrying of mines, the authorities without following the prescribed mechanism, merely measured the length, breadth and height of the quarried granite pit and arrived at the mass volume of removal. Also, after giving effect to the transport permits obtained on payment of fees, the remaining quantum is treated as unauthorisedly sold and showcause notices issued. 

He also noted that the authorities resorted to a fanciful imaginary export price of 1200 US$ as against 500 to 700 SU$ while calculating the recovery and price of minerals used. Thus the officials have not adopted the well settled trade practice and have projected a fanciful loss based on presumptions and assumptions, he added.

The plea also noted that the waste, rejects, non-saleable minerals and minerals for dressing which are kept adjacent to the leaseholds area is construed as a violation and lot of criminal cases are foisted against the industry without any legal basis. Sagayam had submitted his report last November revealing details of losses to the exchequer. The report running to 600 pages has also cited cases and facts revealing the nexus between the bureaucracy and mining mafia ranging from land acquisition to granting of mining licences and actual mining that transpired.