M.P. Prakash

BELLARY: M.P. Prakash, Minister for Home, has said, "all is not well in Bellary district because of the mining activities here."

"Almost all the departments concerned are in one way or the other involved in illegal mining. The judicial inquiry proposed by the State Government would not only unravel the truth but would help the Government initiate stern action against the guilty," Mr. Prakash said while talking to presspersons here on Wednesday.

"As the Minister in charge of the district for several years, I should admit that I did not discharged my duties effectively," he added.

"Two computer statements were being generated at the computerised weighbridges - one mentioning that the load was as per the capacity (17 tonnes) while another, generated at the same place, on the same day and same time, mentions the actual load. This is most unexpected."

When asked what the Government proposed to do to prevent illegal mining, Mr. Prakash said vigil had been stepped up and the authorities had been asked to verify the permits strictly, checkposts had been erected at various places to prevent illegal transportation of ore. "All steps would be initiated to prevent illegal mining," he said.

He also said that the authorities had been asked to check the procurement of float ore by the several sponge iron factories that had been set up in and around Bellary district.

Mr. Prakash said the State Government, in its terms and references to the U.L. Bhat Commission, had sought a thorough inquiry into the illegal mining from 2000.

The commission had been asked to look into all aspects of mining, including violation of rules, corruption, over loading, fake permits, role of politicians, bureaucrats, industrialists and mine owners.

"Members of the public who had knowledge and information about the illegal mining could file an affidavit and depose before the commission," he said.

Mr. Prakash, answering a question, said the commission had been asked to submit its interim report within two months after it starts work. The work of setting up the commission office was under way, he added.

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