Following reports of illegal sand mining activities in some parts of the state, the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday constituted a high-level team to inspect whether there are any irregularities in mining by lessees in four districts.
The team, headed by revenue secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi, will conduct a detail study in Tirunelveli, Kaniyakumari, Trichy and Madurai districts and would survey the 71 mines leased to private parties in those districts.
"Till then all mining activities will be stopped in those areas", Chief Minister J Jayalalitha said.
Just a month ago, the Chief Minister formed a special probe team after the former Tuticorin District Collector Ashish Kumar sent a report to the government alleging large scale illicit beach sand mining in the district.
The team, which conducted detailed inspection in Tuticorin, has submitted its report on Tuesday to the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat.
Jayalalitha, in a statement, also said that a policy decision will be taken immediately once the team submits its report.