Karnataka to cooperate with CBI on mining probe

The Karnataka government would “fully cooperate” with the CBI probe into the illegal extraction of 5.07 million tonnes of iron ore in 17 months from the state’s forests, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Sunday said.

“We will fully co-operate with the CBI in conducting the probe into the Belekeri iron ore scam,” Shettar told reporters here, two days after the Supreme Court ordered a probe by the investigating agency into the illegal extraction of iron ore.

Shettar said government would take stringent action against the officials who were indicted in the Lokayukta report submitted by former Lokayukta Santosh Hegde in connection with the illegal mining. Besides ordering a CBI probe on September 7, the apex court also sought to know from the state government how its agencies were unaware of the illicit mining on a massive scale going on in the state.

On the drought situation, Shettar said they had appealed to the Centre to ensure that nationalised banks waive farmer’s loans to the extent of Rs 3,600 crore in view of the severe drought faced by the state. According to a report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the apex court, only 12 of the 18 mining leases in Category A can resume mining in phases over the next six months.

These leases together are authorised to produce 4.5 million tonnes (mt) of iron ore per annum. One company - Allum Prashanth - is unwilling to obtain all statutory approvals, while five others cannot start mining even if they obtain all approvals, as there are other legal cases pending against them.