Ban on mining in Bellary left 1 lakh jobless: S Gowda

Bangalore, Aug 25: The illegal Bellary mining ban issue has brought a dark phase of time in Karnataka. Around one lakh people have lost their jobs in Karnataka and the state will suffer an annual revenue loss of Rs 4,000 crore due to the ban on mining in Bellary District, said Chief Minister D. V. Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday, Aug 24.

Gowda, while addressing a press meeting, said that the Supreme Court's judgement on the issue would be accepted and obeyed but added: "We are a little bit worried because nearly one lakh people have lost their jobs all over Karnataka and nearly Rs 4,000 crore coming to the state exchequer (will not come now). These are things we are little bit worried (about). But certainly we will look into how to manage all this."

Gowda, however, said the state's finances were sound. Direct tax collection in April-July this year had gone up to Rs 14,358 crore, from Rs 11,950 crore in the same period last fiscal, reflecting a 20 per cent growth.

On July 29, the apex court ordered suspension of mining and transportation of iron ore from Bellary district taking note of Central Empowered Committee (CEC)'s report that revealed most of the miners in the region were indulging in illegal mining causing considerable environmental damage.

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