Stone crushers to be shifted

Chairing a meeting of the taskforce to curb illegal mining here on Thursday, the DC said that the places should be identified in accordance with the guidelines laid down.

The lands must be at least two kms away from schools, temples and rivers, one-and-a-half kilometre from state highway, 500 meters from service roads, eight kms away from the City Municipality and district headquarters. A crusher must be allotted one acre of land.

No further permission

“There are 86 crushers in the district and according to the verdict of the Supreme Court crushers could be permitted up to 31st March 2010. No permission will be granted subsequently, until further orders from the government,” informed senior Geologist, S R Nagaraj.

Sand mining has been allowed on River Palar basin only to such persons who have obtained permit by paying a fee of Rs 250. Close vigil is being maintained to check illegal sand mining and strict action is being initiated against people found in such activity, he revealed.

Fine levied

Fine totalling to Rs 2.34 lakh has been levied by conducting raids on units which filter sand from soil. Raids have been carried out in Kodikannur, Juhalli, Arahalli, Seepura, H Gollahalli, Talagunda, S Agrahara, Purahalli, Vemagal, Tokalaghatta, Valerahalli and other villages of Kolar taluk. Similar action has also been initiated at A Golahally and Sangasandra village of Mulbagal taluk, in a joint operation with the tahsildar. The equipment used for filtering - oil machines, plastic pipes and filter beds have been destroyed. As many as 12 lorries have been seized for transporting sand illegally and a fine of Rs 86,000 has been imposed on them, he enumerated.

Deputy Commissioner suggested to secure police assistance while carrying out the operation. Superintendent of Police K P Puttaswamy, Assistant Commissioner Peddappaiah and others were present in the meeting.