The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : New mining policy to be announced soon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

New mining policy to be announced soon

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday announced in the Legislative Assembly that a new mining policy will be adopted soon. He also said mining will be banned in the night and a vigil will be maintained to check illegal transportation of minerals.

Replying to K.N. Rajanna (JD-S) during Question Hour, the Chief Minister, however, sought time to stop all the illegal activities going in the mining areas.

The Speaker, Krishna, advised him to convene a meeting of legislators from the mining areas before deciding on the measures.

Mr. Rajanna, J.C. Madhuswamy (JD-U) and Gopal Pujari and Prakash Hukkeri (both Congress) alleged that hundreds of lorries are carrying minerals and sand from various parts of the State illegally at night. The overloaded lorries are damaging roads, they said.

Mr. Madhuswamy said illegal mining and transportation of minerals are going on in Chikkanayakanahalli and Gubbi taluks in Tumkur district. Mining is going on in forests with the connivance of police and road transport officials.

Minister for Forests C. Chennigappa said illegal activities are going on. The Chief Minister has ordered a survey of forest land where mining is going on and the extent of encroachment of forest areas. He promised that strict action will be taken to stop illegal mining in forest areas.

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