Lokayukta asks DCs to give report on illegal mining

The Karnataka Lokayukta has ordered the district deputy commissioners to submit an action taken report on illegal mining in their jurisdictions in eight weeks.

Lokayukta Justice P Vishwanatha Shetty issued the order while hearing a suo motu case registered in 2017. While taking up the issue of indiscriminate mining at a quarry in Devanahalli taluk, the court had ordered deputy commissioners of all districts to take steps to curb illegal mining.

Over the last two years, the deputy commissioners submitted reports highlighting steps taken to implement the Lokayukta order. They reported illegal mining of sand, stone and other minerals and the cases registered against them.

Examining the scrutiny note of the report, the Lokayukta said a recent order to the Shivamogga deputy commissioner to probate all illegal mining activities should necessarily be issued to all deputy commissioners and the Mines and Geology Department.

Shivamogga case

In the Shivamogga case, the Lokayukta gave six weeks to the deputy commissioner to probe all illegal mining cases and submit details, including identities of officials from different departments who failed to implement the rules.

Justice Shetty also directed the Lokayukta ADGP to instruct the superintendent of police of all districts to undertake an independent investigation on illegal mines and submit a report by March 20.