In Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin district, a coastal village named Viapar is troubled by heavy beach erosion. The corrosion issues are said to have occurred from illegal beach mining across the region. In what have been unsupported allegations, VV mineral has been held responsible for this catastrophe. It has also been alleged that the 20 year old company has encroached 30 hectares of government land and other mining lease violations.
The founder of the company, VV Mineral Vaikundarajan, has been unfairly accused of using political connections to influence the transfer of district collector, Ashish Kumar, during his inquiry stint.
VV Minerals India quoted to NDTV, “These allegations made by the former district collector are baseless, motivated and vague.”
V Sundaram, first District Collector, wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary of the state in January 2013 accusing VV Minerals of illegal mining worth over Rs. 96,000 crores. The letter also accused state government departments of favoring VV Minerals. “The mining lease was given to them within 72 days, while the other companies are still waiting for permission,” the letter stated.
In the wake of this turmoil, VV Mineral Vaikundarajan has stood firm by his company calling the allegations as a conspiracy by his business rivals.
Ravindram Duraiswami, an advocate of the company quoted to NDTV, "Sundaram is passing this as a cruel joke. He is on the payroll of our business rival. Our hands are clear. We will come out clear from these allegations. Our records are straight.”
