Bangalore: Karnataka Lok Ayukta has said that
two-thirds of mining operations in the state were "illegal"
and that the government had done little to check it, as Chief
Minister B S Yeddyurappa once again ruled out a CBI probe into
the mining issue.
"Illegal mining comprises two-thirds of all mining
operations being carried out in Karnataka. But unfortunately
neither the government nor the people are benefiting from it,"
Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde told PTI.
He lamented that Karnataka government had done little to
check illegal mining and his report submitted to the
government on mining in 2007 had evoked only "fringe action".
Hegde called for an immediate ban on exports of all
minerals as high prices prevalent in the international market
were leading to "plundering of natural resources" by private
mining companies.
Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa told reporters at Raichur that
there was no need for a CBI enquiry as the state government
would act on the report of Lokayukta which had gone into
mining operations in detail.
After receiving the mining report in 2007, government had
asked Lokayukta to broaden the purview of its probe and
enquire into the incidents (of illegal mining) till 2008.
The mining issue in the mineral-rich districts of Bellary
in Karnataka and Ananthapur in Andhra Pradesh has hogged the
headlines with Telugu Desam Party launching a major stir
against illegal mining, prompting the Rosaiah government in
the neighbouring state to seek a CBI probe.
PTI
