Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 27 – Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeeve reaffirmed the state’s strong opposition to the central government’s decision to permit offshore mineral mining, stating that Kerala has officially protested the move on three separate occasions.
Addressing a press conference, Rajeeve detailed the state's stance, highlighting that Kerala’s objections were first conveyed during the Union Ministry of Mining’s roadshow on January 11 in Kochi. At the event, APM Mohammed Haneesh, Principal Secretary of the State Industries Department, presented the state's concerns to Union Mines Secretary Kantha Rao, particularly regarding the environmental and social implications of offshore mineral dredging.
The issue was raised again at the 64th Central Geological Programming Board meeting in Bhubaneswar on January 19, where Rao acknowledged Kerala’s concerns. Subsequently, Rajeeve added that the National Institute of Oceanography was tasked with conducting a study on the environmental impact of offshore mining.
On February 13, the state’s Industries Department sent another letter to the central government, urging that any bidding process for mineral exploration should proceed only after ensuring Kerala’s interests are safeguarded.
Concerns Over Legislative Amendments
Rajeeve also traced the legislative history of offshore mining regulations, stating that the Offshore Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act was introduced in 2002 under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, followed by the Offshore Areas Mineral Development (OAMD) Rules in 2010 under the Congress-led UPA government.He pointed out that in 2022, the central government proposed amendments to the Offshore Areas Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to expand private sector participation and introduce an auction system. Kerala reviewed the amendments and continued to express strong reservations, citing their potential environmental consequences.
Dismissing claims that Kerala supports the central government's move, Rajeeve said such reports aimed to undermine the state's efforts to oppose the Act, which he described as a serious environmental threat. He also accused Congress MPs from Kerala of failing to raise objections when the Bill was tabled in Parliament.
Fishermen's Protest Brings Coastal Operations to a Halt
Meanwhile, a 24-hour coastal hartal organized by fishermen unions under the Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee saw widespread participation across the state. The protest, aimed at opposing offshore mineral mining, led to a complete suspension of fishing activities, disrupting operations at fishing ports, landing centers, and markets along Kerala’s coastal belt from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram.Public demonstrations and marches were held throughout the state as part of the protest. The hartal will remain in effect until midnight.
The Kerala Fisheries Coordination Committee, comprising various trade unions in the fisheries sector, has garnered support from major political parties, including the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress.
According to committee leaders, the Centre has planned the auction of sand blocks for offshore mining in five locations—Kollam South, Kollam North, Alappuzha, Ponnani, and Chavakkad.
As part of their ongoing agitation, a protest declaration conference was held in Kollam on February 17, and a march to Parliament is scheduled for March 12 to press the central government to withdraw the auction process.
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