Thiruvananthapuram: Cherian Philip comes up again with accusations against Kerala government. He said that Kerala’s precious wealth of thorium deposits is being looted by some private companies and individuals for years with the help of government mechanisms. Cherian Philip also asked the High Court to take strong action to stop this considering the interest of the nation. His criticism was through a Facebook post.
His Facebook post is like this…
Thorium is being looted:
Cherian Philip
Kerala’s precious treasure of thorium is being looted for years by some private companies and individuals with the help of government mechanisms. The High Court should take strong action to prevent this by putting the country’s interest first.
Private companies are making huge profits by exporting Monazite, an important ore of thorium, which is a hugely expensive nuclear fuel in the world market. The political and bureaucratic leadership that helps them are receiving dividends through foreign exchange and other means.
Although mining of black sand in the private sector is prohibited by central law, some private companies are buying tonnes of black sand at a pittance through public sector undertakings. Monazite is extracted from black sand and shipped abroad. Other minerals are used to make products such as Titanium and Synthetic Rutile.
In Alappad, Thrikkunnapuzha, Arattupuzha, Thottappally etc., some private individuals have acquired black sand deposits in violation of the Land Act. Black sand is still being transported in tanker lorries under the cover of public sector undertakings from government-owned sites.
The two lakh ton thorium deposits on the Kerala coast are an inexhaustible mine. If this is properly utilized, Kerala can achieve financial stability in the future. Nuclear power plants run on thorium, which is an excellent energy source. Electricity can be produced at low cost. It can be used as fuel for rockets and high-speed aircraft.
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