Pathanamthitta: The sand removal from Pampa river was carried out without permission from the forest department, says a report. It is revealed that sand is being removed from Pampa as directed by former chief secretary Tom Jose. Though Kerala Clays and Ceramic Products Ltd was in charge of the work, a private company is currently engaged in it.

Travancore Devaswom Board secretary had permitted Kerala Clays and Ceramics Products Ltd to remove sand on April first week. He demanded that the permission should be given free of cost.

Meanwhile, Pathanamthitta district collector and Disaster Management Authority chairman PB Nooh issued another order on cleaning Pampa. In this order, he directed to clear mud, plastic, cloth and other waste from the river. No direction was made to remove sand deposited on the river during the floods.

But at present, the company is engaged in removing sand from the river.

On May 20, forest department opposed the decision to remove sand. But later, former chief secretary, revenue secretary and DGP visited the place and issued direction to remove sand on May 29.

Chief Secretary directed that there is no need to wait for the forest department’s approval and ordered to immediately take action. Officials who attended his meeting informed that the chief secretary issued the direction strictly. Following this, the work to remove sand commenced.