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Illegal mining activity in Pandavapura dominates ZP meet

Last Updated 19 December 2017, 17:40 IST

The issue of illegal mining activity in Pandavapura taluk dominated the discussion during the KDP progress review meeting at the Zilla Panchayat hall here on Tuesday.

District in-charge Minister M Krishnappa chaired the meeting, attended by Senior Scientist N Nagabushan of the Mines and Geology department. Malavalli MLA P M Narendraswamy complained against the functioning of the department. He alleged that the department officials have connived with the mine owners, succumbing to pressure. The mining case should be handed over to the CBI probe, he demanded.

The department should follow guidelines like identifying mining area for the people under SC/ST categories. They have thrown all norms into the wind and have given permission to influential people. A high-level probe should be conducted and the guilty should be punished, he demanded.

However, scientist Nagabushan tried to defend the department by saying that stones were used for development activities in the district, which is opposed by Deputy Commissioner N Manjushri.

Fine collection

When Narendraswamy questioned the department officials to disclose the amount of fine collected out of Rs 30 crore imposed, Nagabushan said the fine slapped four years ago is yet to be collected. Deputy Commissioner Manjushri said, as the Mines department has failed to collect the fine, the responsibility would be handed over to the Revenue Recovery Committee.

Krishnappa directed the DC to submit a detailed report on mining after which the government would take action.

Tenders for desilting

Krishnappa took Cauvery Neeravari Nigam Superintendent Engineer Vijaykumar to task when he said that tenders have been invited to desilt 60 lakes in the district. The minister said, "At a time when all the lakes in the district have filled, you have called for tenders. Don't give false information and waste the time."

MLAs D C Thammanna, K S Puttannaiah, Narayanagowda, Ramesh Babu Bandisiddegowda, ZP president J Premakumari, and ZP CEO B Sharath were present.

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(Published 19 December 2017, 17:14 IST)

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