Karna to challenge SC order lifting iron ore export ban

Karnataka Government would soon file an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging its order revoking the ban on export of iron ore, chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said today.

The state would file the appeal outlining the reasons that prompted the BJP Government to impose the ban to check illegal mining and illegal export of iron ore.

The government would also bring to the notice of the apex court about the prevailing situation on illegal mining in the state.

On April 5, the Supreme Court ordered lifting of the ban imposed by the Yeddyurappa Government in July 2010 on export of iron ore and directed the state to put in place within 15 days required infrastructure to enforce rules to prevent illegal mining and illegal transportation of iron ore.

A bench comprising justices R V Raveendran and A K Patnaik also asked the state government to consider the suggestion made by the Karnataka Lokayukta in its report to curb illegal mining.

Yeddyurappa rejected media reports that the state did not cooperate with the Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee, that visited parts of Bellary to study the illegal mining issue recently.

On the Lokpal Bill issue, he said there was a need to give effect to the legislation and wanted Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to convene a meeting of chief ministers of all states for a discussion in this regard.