The Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 I thank the Hon. Minister for responding to my question.

¶ 02 People in our area face severe problems due to the Forest Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation. In Vanni District alone, nearly 60,000 acres of agricultural lands are being prevented from cultivation. This has continued over the years. I do not wish to blame this Government. A District Committee appointed earlier made recommendations to a ministerial committee to expedite the release of lands. Verification was underway when elections came. You are continuing good programmes started by the previous Government. On that basis, in this matter too, please act quickly. Even appointing another sub-committee is fine. Expedite arrangements. In our districts, there are hundreds of tanks; traces exist of such tanks. If arrangements are made quickly, food production can be significantly increased. With higher food production, inflation will reduce. Therefore, release suitable lands swiftly. The season is about to start.

¶ 03 Mr. Speaker, I will be brief.

¶ 04 Hon. Minister, regarding the Forest Department, granting permits for sand mining is critical. They issue permits as landowners, and now we cannot even approach the riverbanks. As resources were destroyed under the previous Government, the same continues now. Please appoint a committee to inquire into this and take proper action. You collect royalties; prevent the destruction. Trees are fallen there. Sand mining that was within 5 metres from the river has now gone to 20 metres. Kindly appoint a committee, investigate, and stop the destruction of mineral resources there as soon as possible.