Indian State told to recover cost of magnesite

Feb. 23, 2010
The Madras High Court has directed the government to take steps to recover the cost of magnesite illegally excavated on 78.32 acres by six persons in three villages in Salem district, within two weeks.
Passing orders on an appeal by K.M. Kamala and five others, the court directed them to stop forthwith excavation of magnesite quarrying at Kondappanaickenpatti, Alagupuram and Iyyamperumalpatti. They should deliver vacant possession of the leasehold area within two weeks. The public auction should be completed as expeditiously as possible.
The appellants challenged an order of the Salem District Collector directing the appellants to remit Rs.1.85 crore towards cost of mineral excavated between July 1998 and April 2000 and to sell a stock of 1,564 tonnes of magnesite in public auction.