Karnataka - Bangalore   

CBI probe sought into illegal mining

Staff Reporter

Minister himself has highlighted issue, says Chandrashekar

Bangalore: The senior Congress member B.K. Chandrashekar has expressed shock over large-scale illegal mining by a group of individuals/companies.

The mining is going on in violation of all relevant legislation protecting forests and mining land, causing severe loss to the exchequer and also depleting natural resources, he said during the discussion in the Legislative Council on illegal mining in Bellary district.

This has been stated by Minister for Forests and Environment C. Chennigappa in a letter to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on March 6, he noted. Prof. Chandrashekar said the letter reads like a complaint against the mining companies, officers of the Government and the nexus between officers and politicians.

After hearing reports from some legislators, the public and the media Mr. Chennigappa went on a surprise spot inspection along with State-level forest officers.

He found many irregularities and recommended immediate banning of unlicensed mining.

The Minister said in his letter to the Chief Minister that between 10,000 and 25000 tonnes of iron ore are being extracted every day, "yet nobody has noticed this." He listed 20 individuals/companies as being guilty of the offences.

Demanding a CBI investigation, Prof. Chandrashekar said the Minister's letter as well as reports and recommendations of senior Forest Department officials denote an extraordinary situation.

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