Ban on mining in Karnataka to stay till govt action

NEW DELHI: Environment ministry has said that moratorium on mining in Karnataka will not be lifted until the state government provides a report on the cases booked against violators and the action taken on the adverse Lokayukta report.

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) in its January 18 meeting had allowed JSW Steel Limited, Bangalore to divert 200.73 hectaresof forest land for extraction of iron ore and manganese in Kumaraswamy range, Sandur taluk of Bellary district. Stage-I clearance was given in 2008.

Ministry sources, however, said the permission will not become effective till the prescribed conditions are met.

In a letter to Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa, environment minister Jairam Ramesh said that in the backdrop of reports of illegal mining in Bellary district, the state government will have to establish a foolproof mechanism to control violations in a time-bound manner. The state government will have to submit a list of cases booked against violators and action taken against them and submission of an action taken report on the Lokayukta report. The ministry said the ban on giving new mining leases in Bellary will continue till these steps are taken.