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Black sand-mining: Pinarayi rebuts Sudheeran’s charge
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Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has challenged the statement made by senior Congress leader V.M. Sudheeran that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had opened the door to the private sector for the mining of mineral-rich black sand along the Kerala coast.He expressed surprise that this “factually incorrect” statement had come from Mr. Sudheeran, at a time when he had been strongly criticising the black sand mining policy of the new UDF government.Mr. Sudheeran had on Thursday morning said it was the Pinarayi government which had resumed sand-mining operations along the Alappuzha coast, claiming that removing the sand, as part of a desilting and dredging measure, was the permanent solution to the perennial flooding in Kuttanad. He alleged that the guise was that the sand-mining was being carried out by the public sector Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd. but that the sand was being bought up by firms like CMRL.Responding to Mr. Sudheeran on Facebook, Mr. Vijayan said it was the Congress government at the Centre that first granted the private sector the opportunity to carry out mining.The A.K. Antony and Oommen Chandy governments, in power in Kerala between 2001 and 2006, followed this lead and allowed the privatisation of black sand-mining in the State. He alleged that even when strong public protests had erupted over this in the wake of the tsunami disaster, the UDF government ignored these and went ahead with its decision to allow private sector into black sand-miningHe claimed it was the LDF government which came to power in 2006 which took a firm stand against allowing private sector in black sand-mining. When the private firms involved in sand-mining went on appeal with the Union Ministry of Mining, the Congress government as well as the Minister for Mining took decisions favouring the black sand lobby, he said.However, the LDF government did not yield, following which the mining firms approached the High Court against the State government’s stand.Mr. Vijayan alleged that when the UDF returned to power in 2011, it had adopted an approach wherein it deliberately lost the cases filed by the mining firms. Because of strong public protests, the UDF government was unable to implement the decision allowing private companies into the sand-mining area.He said that when the LDF came back to power in 2016, for the next 10 years, no private firm had been allowed an opportunity for sand-mining anywhere in the State.When the Centre made amendments to the minor mineral licensing rules in 2023 in a manner favourable to the black sand lobby, the LDF government had vehemently opposed this, to the effect that the Centre was forced to withdraw the amendment, Mr. Vijayan said.He said that for the past ten years, the LDF had maintained an uncompromising stance against the private black sand mining lobby. It also brought forth the concept of a public sector-based Rare Earth Corridor.The present UDF government had overturned this in the Budget and was now adopting a favourable stance towards allowing private sector entry in black sand mining, toeing the Union government’s line. Mr. Vijayan claimed that it was clear that the Budget proposal for setting up a Rare Earth Critical Mineral Corridor serves the interest of the private black sand-mining lobby.It is common knowledge that the UDF governments have always been in favour of allowing private sector entry into black sand mining and Mr. Sudheeran himself had previously been sharply critical of these decisions of the UDF .Mr. Vijayan said Mr. Sudheeran’s sudden turnaround, raising baseless allegations against the LDF, must be his way of balancing out his criticism of the government led by his own party. Published - June 25, 2026 11:55 pm IST
As Kerala awaits the UDF government’s white paper on State finances, a new study has suggested that the government should actively pursue measures designed to broaden the tax base, optimise non-tax revenue mobilisation and improve tax compliance while building on the State’s structural strengths to boost the economy.The study, ‘Kerala Fiscal Consensus Forum 2026-31 - a non-partisan academic initiative,’ prepared by the Department of Commerce, Sacred Heart College, Thevara, urges the government to explore avenues such as ‘Kerala Diaspora bonds,’ and - in the case of local bodies - municipal bonds. Further, the government should explore fee revision exercises across departments to increase non-tax revenues, user charges for higher-end government services and asset monetisation to up the State’s revenues.Observing that Kerala stands at a ‘critical fiscal inflection point,’ it states that “The most fundamental long-term remedy for Kerala’s fiscal deficit is substantially enhancing own revenue mobilisation. Kerala ranks among the lowest States in own-tax revenue as a percentage of GSDP, despite being one of the highest in per capita private consumption expenditure.” The study envisions ‘Kerala diaspora bonds’ as tax-efficient, RBI-compliant instruments through which NRIs can invest directly in specific infrastructure or social projects.The document was handed over to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan recently, Tessa Mary Jose, Dean, Department of Commerce, said.The ‘single largest structural driver’ of Kerala’s fiscal deficit, according to the study, is the disproportionate share of committed expenditure, salaries, pensions and interest payments in its total revenue expenditure. “In 2024-25, Kerala’s committed expenditure amounted to ₹97,978 crore, which is approximately 71% of its estimated revenue receipts,” it notes.In revising fees to enhance non-tax revenues, the priority sectors can be ports and registration, building permits, mining levies and forest produce, the study suggests. Likewise, user charges can be levied for higher-end government services, such as Supplyco premium outlets, higher-grade hospital rooms and specialised skill training.In the case of debt management, the study observes that public debt, including on-balance-sheet borrowings and the off-balance-sheet exposure through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), calls for a “coherent and transparent medium-term management strategy.” It recommends an independent review of KIIFB-funded projects and the formation of a State Debt Management Office within the Finance Department. Further, the Kerala Fiscal Responsibility Act should be amended to incorporate KIIFB and other off-budget vehicles within the definition of fiscal deficit for FRBM compliance purposes, in line with evolving national best practices, it says.The study also suggests measures for tapping the full potential of the MSME and manufacturing sectors, tourism, knowledge economy and digital services. Published - May 27, 2026 06:55 pm IST
Protests outside the residence of Opposition Leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram against the ED raids on Wednesday (May 27, 2026). | Even as the raid was ongoing at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, party workers gathered in large numbers raising slogans against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government and the ED.Addressing a press conference here, CPI(M) State Secretary M.V.Govindan said that the raids are “the latest instance of a planned attack” against the CPI(M) by the Sangh Parivar and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The party will strongly resist such attempts politically and legally, with the support of the masses, he said.The raids are part of the long-running inquiry into whether Mr. Vijayan’s daughter and former IT consultant, T. Veena’s now-defunct firm, Exalogic, had received sizeable monthly retainers from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), a private mining company, during the 2017-2021 period allegedly without rendering any tangible service.Mr. Govindan said that several Central agencies, including the Income Tax department, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the ED had carried out investigations in the past. The High Court as well as the Supreme Court had in the past dismissed these allegations, he said.(The Kerala High Court had dismissed a petition seeking a court-monitored probe against Mr Vijayan and his daughter, Ms. Veena, in connection with the latter’s financial transactions with CMRL as the mining firm’s IT consultant during the 2017-2021 period.(The High Court found no evidence that established a cognisable offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Later in October 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed Congress leader Mathew Kuzhalnadan’s same plea and cautioned him against using courts as platforms for political battles.)Mr. Govindan accused the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) of being hand-in-glove with the BJP “as the Central agencies hunted major Opposition leaders across the country.”‘Two UDF Ministers’ names also came up’“The Congress’ national leaders came to Kerala and asked why Mr.Vijayan was not being arrested. It was the Congress’ petition which served as the basis for former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest. The Delhi High Court later dumped these allegations as baseless. Similar attempts are now being made in Kerala to target Mr.Vijayan and the CPI(M). Two UDF Ministers’ names also came up in the CMRL transactions. However there has been no case or investigation against them. People suspect that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday (Tuesday), and the UDF are supportive of these raids. The Congress has been alleging a deal between the CPI(M) and the BJP, but now the real deal between the Congress and the BJP has been proven,” he said.Mr. Govindan questioned the basis on which the ED detained Mr. Vijayan, noting that he is not an accused in the case.“This is a politically motivated attack against the party. No FIR even exists in this case. The High Court only said that the investigation prior to the registration of an FIR can continue. The party would not have intervened if this was a case against Ms.Veena alone, but here an attempt is being made to arraign Mr.Vijayan as an accused and through him attack the party,” he said.Mr. Govindan said the CPI(M) would organise torch-lit protests at all party branch committees across the State on Wednesday evening against the attempt to target Mr.Vijayan and the party. Mass protests are also being held at all local, area and district levels.Tharoor refutes Brittas’ chargesMeanwhile, Congress Working Committee (CW
Police personnel deployed outside the house of Beypore MLA and former Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas at Kottuli in Kozhikode on Wednesday even as CPI(M) workers are reaching there in large numbers. | Ragesh Kerala’s former Minister for Public Works and Tourism and Beypore MLA P.A. Mohamed Riyas wrote a cryptic social media post on Wednesday morning even as ED raids continued at multiple locations, including at his house in Kottuli in Kozhikode city.“Attack us from all sides, but we will not bow before the Sangh Parivar. Will fight till the last breath,” the post on Facebook said. The scene outside Mohamed Riyas’ residence in Kozhikode on Wednesday | Video Credit: K. Ragesh Many Communist Party of India (Marxist) activists and supporters commented below, extending their support. The raid was conducted when Mr. Riyas was reportedly not present in his house.According to CPI(M) leaders, he was at the party’s district committee office. Three ED officials are reportedly in the team conducting the raid and central paramilitary personnel are guarding the house owned by his father Abdul Khader, a retired police officer.Meanwhile, CPI(M) workers led by party district secretary M. Mehboob and Kozhikode Deputy Mayor S. Jayashree led a protest march from outside Mr. Riyas’ house against the ED.Mr. Mehboob told the media that the raids were politically motivated. “This is not such a big deal for us. The CPI(M) has overcome much bigger problems... Why are they raiding Mr. Riyas’ house? We will not be cowed down by such tactics of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar,” he said. Mr. Mehboob said that the CPI(M) would not obstruct the ED’s work. The CPI(M) workers later took out another protest march in Kozhikode city.Police personnel have been deployed outside Mr. Riyas’ residence even as reports emerged that more CPI(M) workers will reach there. Published - May 27, 2026 12:53 pm IST
CPI(M) MP John Brittas speaks. | In a statement on X, Mr. Brittas said. “This is yet another example of the systematic misuse of central agencies to harass and target political opponents. Such vindictive actions expose the authoritarian mindset. Com Pinarayi n CPIM not be cowed down by these undemocratic tactics. CPIM fights back resolutely, with the support of the people, to defend democracy. It is clear that the Congress leadership actively encouraged the ED to target him, just as they did in the case of Arvind Kejriwal”.The ED on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) raided the houses of Mr. Vijayan in Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram in what is viewed as a major escalation of a long-running inquiry into whether his daughter and former IT consultant, T. Veena’s now-defunct firm, Exalogic, had received sizeable monthly retainers from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), a private mining company, during the 2017-2021 period allegedly without rendering any tangible service. Published - May 27, 2026 09:38 am IST
ED raid progressing at the residence of Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram on May 27, 2026. | It is viewed as a major escalation of a long-running enquiry into whether his daughter and former IT consultant, Veena Vijayan’s now defunct firm, Exalogic, had received sizeable monthly retainers from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), a private mining company, during the 2017-2021 period allegedly without rendering any tangible service.The ED search unfolded at 12 locations across the State, including the residence of the former Industries Minister and Ms. Veena’s husband, Muhammad Riyaz, in Kannur, and the houses of the mining company’s promoters, among other localities.ED officials, accompanied by armed Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, were seen entering the search localities early Wednesday (May 27, 2026).They cordoned off the premises, including Mr. Vijayan’s recently rented house at Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr Vijayan and his family were at home when the raid unfolded. Published - May 27, 2026 08:53 am IST
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