The infamous granite scam, which came to light in 2012, involved large-scale illegal quarrying in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district and sparked a significant political and administrative controversy.
On Sunday, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Mineral Resources, S. Regupathy, assured full government protection to U. Sagayam, the former IAS officer who spearheaded the investigation into the multi-crore scam and recently voiced concerns over threats to his personal safety.
Addressing the media in Pudukottai, Regupathy said
“The government will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate the former IAS officer. It stands firmly with those who dare to speak the truth.”
His statement comes after a special court permitted Sagayam to participate in legal proceedings via video conferencing, citing safety concerns.
Sagayam, widely recognized for exposing rampant illegal granite mining in Madurai during his tenure, had recently expressed fears for his safety ahead of a court appearance. This development has reignited public attention on the scam and renewed demands for stronger safeguards for whistleblowers.
Mineral Pricing and Access Discussed in Stakeholder Meeting
Speaking further about his newly assigned portfolio, Minister Regupathy mentioned that a stakeholder meeting held on Saturday focused on key issues related to mineral pricing and accessibility. He attributed the recent rise in land fees for mining operations to policy directives from the Union government and recent court verdicts.
“These factors are the primary drivers behind the escalating cost of construction materials,” he explained.
He added that although prices for manufactured sand (m-sand) and blue metal sand (b-sand) had surged earlier, government intervention has helped stabilize and reduce prices, with ongoing efforts to lower them further wherever possible.
Background: The Granite Scam
First exposed in 2012, the granite scam involved illegal quarrying activities in the Madurai region, causing estimated losses worth thousands of crores to the state exchequer. Appointed as Legal Commissioner by the Madras High Court, Sagayam submitted a comprehensive report detailing the scale of the scam and its financial impact.
Who is U. Sagayam?
U. Sagayam began his career in the Central Secretariat Service in 1989 after clearing the Civil Services Examination. Following training and a short seven-month stint in New Delhi, he voluntarily resigned and later cleared the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) exams, entering the state civil service.
After gaining seniority, he was promoted to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the 2001 batch. Known for his integrity and activism, Sagayam has held various key roles, including serving as Vice Chairman of Science City, Chennai.
