Review Meeting Chaired by Hon'ble Minister for Natural Resources Dr. T.K. Prabhu, on the Directions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, on Continued Action Against Temporarily Suspended Quarries Found in Violation of Rules, and on Measures to Prevent Illegal Quarrying and Unauthorized Transport of Minerals In accordance with the directions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Hon'ble Minister for Natural Resources Dr. T.K. Prabhu conducted surprise inspections last week at quarries in Tenkasi, Kanniyakumari, Virudhunagar and Madurai districts and ordered the temporary suspension of quarries found operating in violation of rules. Further, in accordance with the Minister's directions, Geology and Mining Department officials across Tamil Nadu conducted intensive inspections over the past week. Based on this, 431 quarries were inspected, of which violations were found at 155 quarries; operations at 67 quarries have been temporarily suspended and penalty action taken. Further action to suspend operations at the remaining 88 quarries is underway. In this context, a review meeting chaired by the Hon'ble Minister was held today (02.06.2026) at the Secretariat regarding the further action being taken against the temporarily suspended quarries, preventing illegal quarrying, preventing unauthorized transport of minerals by vehicles, and the actions being undertaken by the Geology and Mining Department. At this meeting, the violations found at the temporarily suspended quarries were explained in detail, along with the further action taken on them. The Hon'ble Minister instructed departmental officials to ensure that action and penalty recovery for the above violations are carried out without any delay, strictly as per the legal provisions. Further, a review was conducted of the number of quarries inspected by drone so far and the action taken on them. On this occasion, it was emphasized that going forward, in all areas where quarry leases have been granted, drone surveys using upgraded technology should be conducted — after giving lessees due prior notice — and all measures should be taken to prevent illegal quarrying and unauthorized transport of minerals. Principal Secretary, Natural Resources Department, Thiru Sunnongam Jadeshiru, I.A.S., Director of Geology and Mining Thiru T. Mohan, I.A.S., and senior officials of the Geology and Mining Department attended this review meeting. Issued By: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9