JOIN USThe department has made it clear that stock will not be cleared for export unless valid licences are produced and clearances are obtained from competent authorities.
The department, in its letter to Alwaris and Thomas, JM Baksi and Company, Falcon Impex Corporation and other export companies has said that obtaining clearances from the Department of Forests, Mines and Geology and Customs Department is mandatory.
The department resorted to this move after a raid on the Belekeri port by the Karnataka Lokayukta officers revealed that many companies had been exporting iron ore by producing fake documents. The raid conducted in February this year was led by the Chief Conservator of Forests Dr U V Singh. The team of officers found the exporters in possession of fake documents.
Following the raid Karwar Deputy Conservator of Forests R Gokul had seized iron ore worth Rs 200 crore stocked without proper documents in Belekeri port in March this year.