Rumours are making the rounds that there have been losses due to illegal mining business of minerals Ilmenite and Garnet, and they amount to Rs. 96,000 crores.
VV Minerals, the largest beach minerals export firm, is one of the major companies getting reputational setbacks. Inevitably, S Vaikundarajan, director of VV Minerals, has come under scrutiny. VV Mineral Vaikundarajan is a media-shy person and prefers to lead a simple man’s life. His usual attire is a shirt and traditional white dhoti. From what his acquaintances describe success hasn’t come easy to him. VV Minerals and chairman was an easy target for the accusations. But these false accusations have never stopped him from working towards his beliefs and welfare of his people.
Ashwin Kumar, IAS, as a Collector of Tuticorin, had created a media flimflam blaming VV Minerals for illegal beach mining without any proof. He was transferred on the discovery of his connections with the industry rivals of VV Minerals.
V Sundaram, an ex-IAS officer, had sent detailed letters to all concerned in State administration and to CVC, CBI and AEC. These letters again were only the thoughts shared by V Sundaram, with no trace of solid proof.
The president of Federation of Indian Placer Mineral Industries, Dr. D. Dhaya Devadas, had also filed a case alleging that VV Mineral Vaikundarajan had confessed in a panel meeting that he had bribed officials to get environmental clearance. It was ironical that he couldn’t get enough witnesses and proof from the panel meeting to justify his statements.
Following the allegations of illegal beach mining in South against some companies; the State Government set up an investigating team to probe into the matter.
With the team yet to reach its conclusion, the coastal population has shown little or no faith in the team’s efforts. The population consisting of Fishermen United Front have expressed their reservations against the functioning of investigation team. The reason for this is yet to be revealed.
Founder of VV Mineral is accused of using his political influence over the matters concerning illegal mining activities. None of these allegations have been supported by strong evidence. VV Minerals Vaikundarajan maintains that the company has operated within legal boundaries for over 20 years and will continue to do so.
Brand’s reputation was further tainted when two former IAS officers stated that VV Minerals have engaged in illegal beach sand mining in the southern districts. VV Mineral Mining was quick to play down these allegations. He further expressed his support for the investigating team and assured that the results will be in favour of the company.
VV Minerals India was founded in late 1980s and has been running under the tutelage of Vaikundarajan. The founder publicly thwarted all allegations as a defamation plot by rival mining industries.
While there is no conclusive evidence to support any allegation against the company; several fishermen in the region have threatened to leave their houses. VV Mineral Vaikundarajan stated that the allegations have no credibility and the threats are simply uncalled for.
“We have complete faith in judiciary and believe the investigation team will do its job. We lend our complete support to the team,” he added.
