CM Satheesan misled assembly over coastal mining policy: Kerala BJP vice-president

Kerala BJP Vice-President Shone George accused state Chief Minister V D Satheesan of misleading the Assembly regarding the alleged privatization of coastal mineral sand mining, claiming a secret deal with a Telangana-based firm.

Speaking to the media in Kochi on Friday, Shone said Satheesan had announced a policy decision in the state budget to allow private participation in coastal mineral sand mining. However, during the budget discussion in the assembly, he clarified that privatizing black sand mining is not the government’s policy. The Chief Minister’s statement in the Assembly contradicted official records and misled the House.

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He said a memorandum submitted by a Telangana-based firm to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) clearly states that the company has entered into an understanding with Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML).

This agreement is based on a tender conducted by KMML. According to this, there are provisions for the company to provide raw materials required for processing minerals including monazite, and to allow the use of two acres of KMML’s land and necessary infrastructure. Additionally, the documents include a provision stating that raw materials collected by KMML should only be used for other purposes after this company’s needs are fully met, Shone said. He also released copies of the memorandum and related documents.

The collection and handling of strategic minerals, including thorium-containing monazite, is a matter of national security. Shone George said the Chief Minister’s statement in the Assembly—that private companies have no involvement in such a sector—is unrealistic and a serious matter.

Shone also said that while the procedures with this company had already started on May 6, doubts are growing as to whether the privatization policy announced in the budget was for this company. He also demanded that the government immediately backtrack from steps that could affect national security.

He accused the LDF and UDF governments of being united in the mineral sand loot.