The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Large-scale illegal mining in State: Lokayukta

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Large-scale illegal mining in State: Lokayukta

Raghava M.

Report indicts officials of Revenue and Mining departments

Report is a scathing indictment of the government machinery
‘Illegal mining going on in a systematic manner’

BANGALORE: Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde has found large-scale illegal mining being carried out in the State in “connivance” with Revenue and Mining officials.

His 279-page report, backed by detailed documentation, is a scathing indictment of the government machinery. Large-scale illegal mining, he observed, had resulted in huge losses to the State

Mr. Hegde made these observations in his first report on fraudulent activities related to mining between 2000 and 2008.

The State Government had asked the Lokayukta to also examine the irregularities in the State-owned Mysore Minerals Ltd. The first report was submitted in December.

Mr. Hegde made an extensive survey of mining areas in the State. On May 20, 2008, on his visit to Shivasandra village in Gubbi taluk, Tumkur district, he noticed “wheel marks of JCBs used for mining even though no mining lease were granted in the area.” He also noticed iron ore stocks “heaped and kept ready for the purpose of transportation.” The Lokayukta presented the photographs to substantiate his observations.

He observed that the extent of “illegal mining” was “not sporadic” but done “in a systematic manner.” He observed that the manner in which transport permits had been issued suggested the “utter carelessness” of officials.

During the same visit, he saw that iron ore had been mined in an area for which manganese mining lease had been granted.

The mining operations were conducted by Canara Mines Private Limited and in an area of 11.33 hectares. The Deputy Commissioner told him that “though illegal mining has been going on for about two years, no steps whatsoever has been taken by the concerned” to stop it. Mr. Hegde also noticed mined ore stocked in forest areas.

The Lokayukta observed “extensive” illegal mining in Tumkur and noted that “no action” had been taken by the authorities concerned. He also visited a mine “allegedly belonging” to Thangavelu of Mari Cements, a Minister in Tamil Nadu. He pointed out that the unit meant for limestone crushing, was actually used for “large-scale iron ore mining”.

He observed that the lease had been converted “without proper verification”. Referring to this case, he observed that there was “misuse of court orders”. “The volume of illegal mining”, he observed, “is so large that it could have certainly attracted the attention of the officials of both Revenue and Mines departments.” Transport permits, he observed, had been issued “without mentioning the vehicle numbers or the quantity” they carried. Mr. Hegde observed that “open ended” permits had been issued, in gross violation of rules.

About his visit to Thirtharampura village in Chikkanayakahalli taluk, he stated in the report: “I was told that the Department of Mines has granted a lease without reference to the forest authorities or Forest (Conservation) Act and directions of the Supreme Court”.

He observed that officials had allowed mining without following the directions of the High Court in 2004 and 2007. Summing up, he asked, “Can this be anything but connivance?”

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