Karnataka sets up special panel to check illegal mining

BANGALORE - The Karnataka government Wednesday constituted a 14-member special committee to check illegal mining and export of iron ore and other minerals from the state.

“The committee, headed by mines and geology director M.E. Shivalingamurthy, will ascertain the exact quantum of iron ore mined in the state and exported and supplied to domestic steel units by miners,” state joint secretary for mines G.A. Adagatti told reporters here.

The panel will collect data pertaining to payment of royalty to the state government by mining firms.

The committee will also monitor 13 new checkposts set up to prevent illegal transportation and export of iron ore and collect information on illegal mining of stone quarries.

“The panel will gather information from mining companies transporting over 10,000 metric tonnes of ore and computerise their operations. It will measure boundaries of all mines, whose leases are due for renewal,” Adagatti said.

The government has also directed the committee to measure mining areas identified by the Lokayukta (ombudsman) in its inquiry report.

Five groups will be constituted to take up this job with the help of revenue department and forest department.

“The committee will meet every fortnight to review the progress made with the help of revenue and forest departments,” Adagatti added.

Other members of the committee include secretaries of the departments of forest and ecology, inland administration, public works, representative of revenue department, commissioner of transport department, regional controller of Indian Bureau of Mines, member secretary of the state pollution control board and port officers of Karwar, Belekeri and Mangalore.