Minister orders action against illegal quarries in Madurai

Madurai: Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar has directed the authorities to identify all illegal quarries operating across Madurai district and register FIRs against the offenders.Presiding over a review meeting at the Circuit House in Madurai on Friday, the minister emphasised that the administration would not tolerate unauthorised extraction of natural resources and instructed officials to ensure the complete cessation of such activities to protect the district's ecological balance.The minister also issued a series of mandates to streamline law and order and public welfare in the district. He ordered the immediate closure of liquor outlets found overcharging customers and directed officials to seal bars operating beyond permitted hours or those functioning with unauthorised kitchen facilities. In a move to combat substance abuse, he instructed the permanent closure of shops and bars found selling banned gutka tobacco products.On urban infrastructure, Nirmal Kumar demanded the immediate submission of detailed project reports (DPRs) to fix Madurai's lagging sewage treatment facilities and erratic drinking water supply. He also called for a comprehensive audit of basic amenities in govt school hostels, specifically focusing on the hygiene and adequacy of sanitation facilities, to ensure a dignified environment for students.District collector K J Praveen Kumar, city police commissioner Abhishek Dixit, and district superintendent of police B K Arvind were present at the meeting.Meanwhile, food safety and police officials have seized 23.5kg of banned tobacco products in the Madurai district for the past two days. During the inspection, three shops running in Madurai were found to be selling banned tobacco products. The Bismi store at Munichalai and Malik's petty shop in the South Gate were fined Rs 25,000 each and closed for 15 days. Similarly, Priya Copper at Lakshmipuram Cross Street was fined Rs 50,000 and sealed for 15 days.Police arrested the owner of Malik' shop and remanded him in judicial custody for selling a large quantity of banned tobacco products.Officials from the department of geology and mines and the revenue department have seized vehicles carrying minerals illegally mined without proper permits. Police have registered FIRs and initiated criminal proceedings against culprits.