India, July 2 -- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said the State Government would order an expert audit of mineral sand mining and probe alleged irregularities by Central and state public sector undertakings.

Replying to a submission by legislator G Sudhakaran in the Assembly, Satheesan said an expert committee would assess where mineral sand may be extracted and whether such activities could trigger environmental issues in vulnerable regions, including Upper Kuttanad.

He said the government would also examine complaints regarding sand removed from the Thottappally spillway estuary and take appropriate action if any irregularities were found.

The CM said a 2009 Water Resources Department order had authorised the removal...