Unearthing large-scale illegal transportation of minerals by misusing the transport permits, the Lokayukta has suggested several stringent measures to plug illegal transportation of several truck loads of ore using only one permit.

In a letter written to Secretary (Mines and Small Scale Industries), Lokayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde has asked the Department not to give more than three to four days time per vehicle to transport ore from one place to another place within the State. The Lokayukta has written the letter following the initial outcome of the ongoing investigation into the illegality in mining activities in the State.

The Lokayukta, in his letter, has also suggested that the permit to be issued in future should the carry details like - source of minerals, name of transporter, registration number of truck, quantity permitted to transport, route to reach destination.

As per the present system, the permit issued would be valid for 30 to 40 days and this has been largely misused to carry at least 10 truck loads of ore to different destinations under one single permit.  Mr Hegde said issuing of one permit per vehicle for a shorter period could be cumbersome procedure but is essential to curb large scale illegal transportation of minerals.

Another illegality found out by the Lokayukta was misuse of permits issued in Andhra Pradesh (AP) to transport ore in bellary region.   Mr Hegde said the provision of free inter-state trade and commerce has been misused in large scale to transport minerals within the State.

Citing an example, he said miners obtain permits in Andhra Pradesh but in reality they do not transport ore from that State instead they load minerals in Bellary region and transport it to ports in Mangalore or Karwar or other places in Karnataka there by causing loss to the state exchequer.

To curb this modus-operandi, the Lokayukta has asked the government to give to the check posts in border areas to make entries in the permit issued at Andhra Pradesh indicating quantity and type of minerals brought from that State.

PERMITS

Acting on the letter, Mr Mahendra Jain, Secretary - Mines and SSI, has met the Lokayukta, on Saturday,  and informed him that the Department is planning to issue permits with hologram and bar codes to stop misuse of permits. However, the Lokayukta asked the officer to submit all the details in writing.