Declaring that Karnataka is committed to implementing the Central Empowered Committee’s recommendations to end illegal mining activities, the Karnataka chief minister pointed an accusatory finger at the Congress and JD(S).
Declaring that Karnataka is committed to implementing the Central Empowered Committee’s recommendations to end illegal mining activities, Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa pointed an accusatory finger at the Congress and JD(S). He said that governments run by these two parties had given blanket cover for illegal mining in the past.
Yeddyurappa, on Saturday, alleged that the Centre is indirectly responsible for illegal mining as Karnataka had repeatedly appealed to the Centre for effective measures to control illegal mining, but the latter did not act. He stuck to his earlier stand that investigations into instances of illegal mining would not be handed over to the CBI. He said: “When the Supreme Court itself has taken up the issue, where does the need for CBI investigations arise,” he asked.
In view of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) interim report submitted to the Supreme Court, Yeddyurappa held an emergency meeting with the chief secretary and mining department officials. He directed them to prepare a report of the action taken reports by the state government to check illegal mining.
Yeddyurappa said: “We have gone through media reports about the CEC report. It intends to ban export of iron ore and we welcome this move. In fact, Karnataka is the first state that raised its voice against illegal mining. In the 57th National Development Council Meeting held in Delhi on July 24, 2010, the state demanded the Centre impose a ban on iron ore export. But it has not taken single measure to check illegal mining.”
“Unless the Centre takes effective steps to amend the Mines and
Minerals Rules, it is very difficult to control illegal mining. The state is committed to protect its rich natural resources, but it has limited powers. The Centre should take the initiative. But the Karnataka government is committed to implement the CEC recommendations. We are also committed to take action on the basis of Lok Ayukta’s final report, which is expected next week,” he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}