High-level meeting on illegal mining likely tomorrow

However, an official confirmation could not be obtained either from the PMO or the Mines Ministry.

Mines Ministry sources said that the PMO would be holding a meeting of senior officials tomorrow and the issue of illegal mining and policy issues related to iron ore exports are on the agenda.

The meeting comes ahead of the EGoM on the new mining act scheduled for July 22.
The issue of late has assumed political propositions with the Opposition in Karnataka-- Congress and JD-S--charging the Reddy brothers, ministers in the BJP government with illegal mining.

State chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has denied the allegation, saying there was no evidence against the Reddy brothers.

Later this week, a 10-member empowered group of ministers, headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, is scheduled to sort out inter-ministerial issues over the proposed mining legislation --Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act.