Karnataka Govt Gets Tough on Illegal Mining, Conducts Raids
Seeming to getting stricter to the menace of illegal mining, the Karnataka government officials have conducted raids and recovered vast amount of unaccounted iron ore from the Bellikere and Karwar ports, said media reports.
Responding to the Lokayukta report, submitted to the mines ministry last week, the state government said in its Action Taken Report (ATR): “As suggested by the union mines ministry, action is being taken to check the production of ore, tally it with the quantity unutilized locally and exported.
“A drive was taken up at Bellikere and Karwar ports on March 2, 2010 to check the transportation of ore without valid permits and action has been taken to stop 10,14,589 tonnes and further investigation is on.
“What’s more, two officers working in the district of North Canara have been suspended for dereliction of duty. The forest department conducted raids on 15-3-2010 which resulted in the seizure of 5 lakh million tones at Bellikere port and 50,000 tonnes at Karwar port.”
This is perhaps the first ever communication from the state to the ministry on this issue.
It may be mentioned that the state government drew sharp criticism for its inertness in cracking down on the errant miners who have been over-extracting iron ore with impunity by flouting the mining plans and resorting to encroachment on others’ mines.
Despite this drive, the BS Yedyurappa government hasn’t consented to initiate a CBI investigation as asked by the mines ministry to nail down the erring miners.
(Based on internet reports)
