ERODE: The Erode Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) has slapped a whopping fine of Rs 7.99 crore on two persons for alleged unauthorised mining of gravel and soil from parcels of ‘condition patta land’ in three villages in the district. Sources said that two Erode-based traders, Senapathy and Subramanian, were allegedly involved in illegal mining of gravel and soil in the villages of Karumandi Sellipalayam, Chennimalai and Kongampalayam in Perundurai taluk in Erode district during 2008-12.
The RDO Ms Narmadadevi’s action came in the wake of an investigation after one Nandakumar from Erode filed a petition in 2014 with the district collector against the duo for their illegal mining of soil. ‘Condition patta’ refers to riders imposed by the State government while selling such land. The district collector had then instructed the RDO to carry out an inquiry into the matter and a decision was taken on fining the two persons. A detailed enquiry by a team of officials from Revenue, Mines and Mineral and Survey departments was conducted and a total fine of Rs 7.99 crore was imposed on the duo for illegally digging 78,045 units of gravel and soil from ‘condition patta’ lands in these villages and selling them during the mentioned period.
