SC not to interfere in framing of mining rules in K'taka

The Supreme Court today refused to interfere in the Karnataka government's decision to frame rules to prevent illegal mining in the state.

A bench headed by justice R V Raveendran turned down the plea of mining companies challenging the state government's decision to put in place a mechanism to regulate mining.

The state government informed the court that regulatory measures have been put in place and Karnataka Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage of Minerals Rules have been notified.

The court had earlier allowed the export of the iron ore lying at major ports of Karnataka after the state government banned its offshore movement in July 2010 in the wake of widespread allegations of illegal mining.

The state government had on July 26 and July 28, 2010, banned the export of iron ore in the wake of widespread reports of illegal mining.