MADURAI: The Union Mines Ministry of Government of India had today- January 23rd 2025- announced deciding to annul the auction of Nayakkarpatti Tungsten mineral block at Arittapatti in Madurai district in Tamil Nadu following massive public protests and objections from political parties in the State.
The Government of India has issued a press statement today evening on January 23rd 2025 saying that “the Union Minister of Coal of Mines Mr.G.Kishan Reddy met with Ambalakarars (traditional community leaders) from Madurai district of Tamil Nadu at the Minister’s chamber in the Ministry of Mines in New Delhi. After detailed deliberations and considering the importance of biodiversity heritage site in the area and the commitment of Government of India under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership towards protecting traditional rights, it has been decided to annul the auction of Nayakkarpatti Tungsten mineral block.”
The Government of India press release through the Press Information Bureau (PIB) also said that ” the Ambalakarars informed the Union Minister that the Nayakkarpatti Tungsten mineral block in Madurai district includes the ARITTAPATTI BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITE’ and also a number of cultural heritage sites.
“During the meeting on 22nd January 2025, the Ambalakarars requested the Union Minister to cancel the auction of the Nayakkarpatti Tungsten block in Madurai district. The Union Minister patiently heard the delegation and expressed that the Union Government fully supports the bio-diversity heritage protection. It may be noted that the Ministry of Mines in a press release dated 24th December 2024 had stated that after auction of the block, a number of representations have been received against the said auction on the ground that there is a biodiversity heritage site within that mineral block area in Madurai district,” the press release of Government of India’s Mines Ministry has said today-January 23rd 2025.
