Mines and Geology dept wants cancellation of 24 mining leases

B D Narayankar

Press Trust of India

Bangalore, Nov 19: Karnataka Mines and Geology
Department has recommended to the state government to cancel
the leases of 24 mining companies which have been indicted
by the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.
The department in its September 24 letter to the Principal
Secretary to the Industries and Commerce Department has
recommended cancellation of the leases as they were involved
in illegal extraction of iron ore and transportation of it,
according to a reply received by Tapal Ganesh, a mines owner
himself, under Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Ganesh, waging a battle against illegal mining, released
the copies of the letter to the press here today.
The department said the leases of 24 mining companies
should be terminated under Section 4 of MMDR Act 1957 and Rule
22, 27 (5), 37 and 45 of MCR 1960 by forfeiting the security
deposit pending recovery of the losses caused to the state.
Mining activities in Karnataka have been stopped
completely as per Supreme Court orders.
Then Lokayukta Santosh Hegde had submitted the report on
illegal mining in July last, indicting politicians, including
then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, officials and mining
firms.