Stringent action against illegal mining: BSY

Bangalore, Aug 11: Karnataka Government on Monday, Aug 11 took a decision to seize iron ore from all illegal mines following the High Court asking the government to check illegal mining throughout the state.

Speaking to newspersons after addressing a meeting of top officials of the Mines and Forests Departments here Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said a satellite survey would be taken by the remote sensing centre to identify areas where illegal mining was in progress. Besides, mobile squads and checkposts would also be strengthened, he added. He recalled that the Congress government headed by S M Krishna in 2003, had got sanctioned permission to 24 people to engage in mining in 5347 hectares of which 5093 hectares fell under the forest areas.

He urged the centre not to grant any fresh permissions.

Karnataka exports Rs 8000 crore worth iron ore to various countries every year. However the state government gets only Rs 80 crore in the form of royalty.

UNI