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The recent judgement of the Supreme Court directing suspension of mining leases of 19 firms in Bellary in Karnataka, based on the report of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), has had an impact not just in the capital but also in Bellary.
The court direction asking the State Government to initiate immediate action in stopping illegal mining in Bellary has shocked those who were involved in the trade. It may be a political compulsion for Karnataka Chief Minister. BS Yeddyurappa, says he “has initiated action” which has witnessed Government machinery for the first time in all these years going all out to punch the guilty in Bellary.
Meanwhile, a citizens’ welfare group in Sandur in Bellary district, which has been fighting a battle against the ill-effects of mining and also illegal mining, finds this a good opportunity to push its cause.
Tazuddin, secretary of the forum, which is planning a march to Bellary to draw the attention of the authorities against non-development of the district, told The Pioneer that the Supreme Court directive has its effect in the district in stopping illegal mining and people could breathe easy.
He said, “For the first time the mining activities have come down. We all pray that the Government will stop illegal mining and help us to survive. The court direction has also brought shivers amongst miners. They are worried. We are happy there is some law and order implemented.”
Official sources confirmed that after shunting some key officials from Bellary and clear instruction from the State Government, the authorities could successfully stop illegal mining in Bellary. However, an official of the mines and geology department told The Pioneer that a lot more needed to be done.
A ruling party source confirmed that the Government was serious in implementing the orders of the court in Bellary. According to him it was the political survival that had prompted Yeddyurappa to act. He said, “It is a political battle. The Chief Minister wants to implement the court orders in Bellary and also finds this an opportunity to corner the powerful Reddy brothers.”
But the steel industry believes the total mining ban would affect the mining sector which is depending on Bellary’s iron ore. They feel it cripples the iron and steel sector which has made huge investments in the region. According to available statistics Bellary, which produces around 40 million tonnes of iron ore per annum, has struck between domestic supply and export ban. An industry source claimed that the domestic steel industry in Bellary needs around 25 million tonnes and the move to ban iron ore would cripple the industry which has made huge investments. The industry source also claimed that it would lead to royalty losses of around Rs 2,000 crore to the Government.
A leading minor in Bellary, Dinesh Singhi, told The Pioneer that the stopping of iron ore production would hamper domestic steel mills which have made huge investments in the district.
It may be recalled here that the CEC in its report submitted on April 15 had slammed the Karnataka Government for allowing large-scale illegal mining in the State, particularly in Bellary district in connivance with officials and public representatives.
It said that from 2003-04 to 2009-1010, a total of 304.91 lakh tonnes of iron ore had been exported without valid permits. Further, some 71.28 lakh tonnes was illegally exported in 2009-10 alone, worth over Rs 15,000 crore.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has demanded the Yeddyurappa’s resignation over his
failure to curb illegal mining in the state. State Congress president G Parameshwara told the media in Hubli on Monday that Yeddyurappa had failed to take action against officials involved in permitting illegal mining even after the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) revealed the happenings in its report to the Supreme Court.
The court direction asking the State Government to initiate immediate action in stopping illegal mining in Bellary has shocked those who were involved in the trade. It may be a political compulsion for Karnataka Chief Minister. BS Yeddyurappa, says he “has initiated action” which has witnessed Government machinery for the first time in all these years going all out to punch the guilty in Bellary.
Meanwhile, a citizens’ welfare group in Sandur in Bellary district, which has been fighting a battle against the ill-effects of mining and also illegal mining, finds this a good opportunity to push its cause.
Tazuddin, secretary of the forum, which is planning a march to Bellary to draw the attention of the authorities against non-development of the district, told The Pioneer that the Supreme Court directive has its effect in the district in stopping illegal mining and people could breathe easy.
He said, “For the first time the mining activities have come down. We all pray that the Government will stop illegal mining and help us to survive. The court direction has also brought shivers amongst miners. They are worried. We are happy there is some law and order implemented.”
Official sources confirmed that after shunting some key officials from Bellary and clear instruction from the State Government, the authorities could successfully stop illegal mining in Bellary. However, an official of the mines and geology department told The Pioneer that a lot more needed to be done.
A ruling party source confirmed that the Government was serious in implementing the orders of the court in Bellary. According to him it was the political survival that had prompted Yeddyurappa to act. He said, “It is a political battle. The Chief Minister wants to implement the court orders in Bellary and also finds this an opportunity to corner the powerful Reddy brothers.”
But the steel industry believes the total mining ban would affect the mining sector which is depending on Bellary’s iron ore. They feel it cripples the iron and steel sector which has made huge investments in the region. According to available statistics Bellary, which produces around 40 million tonnes of iron ore per annum, has struck between domestic supply and export ban. An industry source claimed that the domestic steel industry in Bellary needs around 25 million tonnes and the move to ban iron ore would cripple the industry which has made huge investments. The industry source also claimed that it would lead to royalty losses of around Rs 2,000 crore to the Government.
A leading minor in Bellary, Dinesh Singhi, told The Pioneer that the stopping of iron ore production would hamper domestic steel mills which have made huge investments in the district.
It may be recalled here that the CEC in its report submitted on April 15 had slammed the Karnataka Government for allowing large-scale illegal mining in the State, particularly in Bellary district in connivance with officials and public representatives.
It said that from 2003-04 to 2009-1010, a total of 304.91 lakh tonnes of iron ore had been exported without valid permits. Further, some 71.28 lakh tonnes was illegally exported in 2009-10 alone, worth over Rs 15,000 crore.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has demanded the Yeddyurappa’s resignation over his
failure to curb illegal mining in the state. State Congress president G Parameshwara told the media in Hubli on Monday that Yeddyurappa had failed to take action against officials involved in permitting illegal mining even after the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) revealed the happenings in its report to the Supreme Court.
