JOIN USCM admits illegal mining in State
The damage caused to the environment is unimaginable and irreparable, he said.
He said some politicians, bureaucrats of forest and police departments are involved in this illegal business with government losing heavy revenue. The illegally mined ore has not only been exported from the ports of Karnataka but also from Goa, Krishnapatnam, Kakinada and Chennai.
There are totally 8,700 valid mining leases, while there are more than 15,000 illegal mining pits in the country, he pointed out quoting a report.
Mafia
Yeddyurappa said there is a mafia behind the illegal mining. Fake permits are being used to transport iron ore and illegal transport is causing heavy damages to the State roads.
He said he has taken a good number of steps to check the same including recommending mining licence permits only to those who do value additions to the ore they extract in Karnataka.
He said he would come out with a booklet explaining how illegal mining has been carried out on in the State from the last 10 years and how it has left a negative impact on various sectors. The same would be distributed to all MLAs, MPs, CMs, the Prime Minister and the President.
Referring to the Lokayukta report, which studied the illegal mining from 2000-2006, said it had recommended action against two officers - Dr Basappa Reddy and Gangaram Baderia, for giving mining permits in patta land, but no action was taken, he said.
Yeddyurappa also said he has urged the Centre to initiate action against the customs officials at Belekeri port, from where nearly five-lakh tonne iron ore was illegally shipped out. In his 40-page reply on illegal mining, he said he has also written to the Central Vigilance Commission to take action.
