Ramesh to K’taka: Curb illegal mining in a week

The FAC,after thorough deliberations,had said illegal extraction of minerals was being carried out by three mine owners — SB Minerals,Trident Minerals and Veeyam Minerals. It had asked the Centre to instruct the state government to undertake a survey and demarcate the area and construct permanent pillars along with a soft/hard copy of the map. Further,the committee said till the demarcation and survey was completed the forest clearance for these mines “will remain temporarily withdrawn.” Ramesh said he agreed with the FAC’s recommendation that the withdrawal of the clearance will be treated as revoked after a detailed report was submitted by the Karnataka forest department spelling out the compliance in all the individual cases. “The state forest department will ensure that during the period no transportation of the minerals is allowed,” Ramesh said.

The minister demanded a thorough investigation of the forest offence cases in respect of these mines and take them to their logical conclusion. “Further responsibilities should be fixed on erring officials during whose period the irregularity has taken place and cases have not been concluded,” the minister said and added that the Action Taken Report against these officials be submitted along with the request for revoking of withdrawal of forestry clearance of these mines.

“Taking suo moto cognizance of the media report and FAC resolution,I am requesting you to take action to ensure that this is stopped with immediate effect and provide us with an ATR on this by July 10,2010,” Ramesh said.