'CEC is favouring mining firms'

S R Hiremath, convenor of Samaja Parivartana Samudaya (SPS), has claimed that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court to examine aspects of mining in the State, has offered a biased view favouring mining companies.

At a press conference, he said “Initially, excellent reports on illegal mining were submitted, focusing on the impact on the environment. Now, they submit reports clearly favouring the companies by recommending that the operations be resumed, without explaining their impact on local people, agriculture or the environment.

“We will appeal to the Supreme Court to consider these recommendations only after disposal of the interlocutory applications challenging these recommendations of the Committee,” he said.

The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education has also come under flak for submitting a report to the Supreme Court over relief and rehabilitation, but without adequate study.

“The Council has considered only the point of view of industries. They have not studied the adverse impact on the environment,” Hiremath said.