Chennai, June 18:
The Tamil Nadu Government would curb organised illicit mineral mining and tax evasion with an iron hand and would strive to double the revenue from minerals, Governor R V Arlekar announced in the State Assembly on Thursday.
Delivering his maiden customary address to the House on the first day of the first session of the new TVK government headed by Chief Minister Vijay, the Governor said there has been large leakage of revenues from mineral resources due to corrupt practices that pervades through the mining sector in Tamil Nadu.
The Government will ensure efficient and environmentally sustainable exploitation of mineral resources in the State, he said, adding, organised illicit mining and tax evasion would be curbed with iron hand through proper regulation and enforcement to ensure that revenues flow into Government treasury without diversion.
Through these efforts, Government is striving to double the revenue from minerals, he added.