Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan on Saturday accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of having orchestrated the mineral sand mining at Thottappally in Alappuzha to purportedly aid the interests of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL).
The Muvattupuzha MLA, who described the fresh allegations against the Chief Minister as ‘Part 2’ of the controversy over the alleged illegal payments made by the firm to Mr. Vijayan’s daughter T. Veena, said the government ordered mining at Thottappally under the guise of preventing floods in the Kuttanad region. But the real motive was to extract ilmenite found in the mineral sand deposit in the region, he alleged.
Mr. Kuzhalnadan said the Chief Minister had recommended necessary follow-up action on a memorandum submitted by the company claiming that it had suffered losses to the tune of ₹60 crore following the import of ilmenite by the Centre. The firm had also urged the government to make arrangements to ensure supply of the mineral within the State itself.
