Illegal mining: process to recover Rs 137 crore losses hits a wall

DHNS
June 29, 2017

Bengaluru, Jun 29: The state government has failed to recover losses caused to the exchequer due to illegal mining in the state.

mining

Department of Mines and Geology (DMG) had issued notices to 105 miners and individuals for recovery of Rs 134 crore in March 2017, by giving one month's time. However, even after three months, not a single recovery case has been successful.

The step to recover losses was taken by the DMG based on the investigation reports of Special Investigation Team (SIT). In September 2012, the government had set up the SIT to probe cases of illegal mining and export of less than 50,000 MT of iron ore. Based on the charge sheets filed by the SIT, which has details of quantity of iron ore illegally mined and exported, the DMG issued recovery notices. The notices were issued to various mining companies and individuals under Section 21 (5) of the MMDR Act .

Sources said that this was the first step taken by the government to recover the loss. The notice mentioned the CEC report, subsequent Supreme Court directions and SIT charge sheets and stated: “You are hereby asked to show cause as to why you should not be called upon to pay above said value of the material, along with the other persons involved in above illegality, on or before 05-04-2017, failing which action will be initiated to recover the amount under Section 25 of MMDR Act. This is only a recovery proceedings and will not stop the criminal proceedings which have been initiated by the respective investigating agencies. (sic)'”

A senior official said that such notices were issued to sitting MLAs B Nagendra (Kudligi) and Anand Singh (Vijayanagar), who own mining leases in Ballari district and have been chargesheeted by the SIT and, also to illegal transporters of iron ore in Ballari such as ‘Kharapudi’ Mahesh and ‘Swastik’ Nagaraj and others.

Sources said that while recovery process has hit a wall, the state government renewed licences of certain miners whose names also figure in the list of 105 who have been slapped with notices. Miners say that the move by the state government amounts to levying penalty from two sources simultaneously.

“Notices issued by the department (Mines and Geology) is both against ‘B’ and ‘C’ category mines. The Supreme Court has already ordered recovery of penalty from ‘C’ category mines and the contribution has gone towards R&R (reclamation and rehabilitation). Same is the case with the ‘B’ category mines. Issuing notices to very companies, seeking penalty, amounts to double jeopardy,” said Basant Poddar, Member of Federation of Indian Mineral Industries.

‘Rs 16K crore loss to state’

The Lokayukta report had stated that 2.98 crore tonnes of illicit iron ore was mined and exported during 2006-2010. The report had named 787 officials and 100 companies as responsible for illegal mining. The report said the loss to the state exchequer during the said period was Rs 16,085 crore.

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News Network
March 15,2024

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Bengaluru, Mar 15: Work from home to using toilets in malls, residents of India's 'Silicon Valley' Bengaluru are exploring all options to combat the unprecedented water crisis. People across various neighbourhoods have been forced to order food from restaurants and take bath on alternate days due to the water scarcity.

Even those in high-rise apartments equipped with water harvesting systems now find themselves reliant on water tankers for basic needs, leading to stringent usage restrictions.

Eateries are mulling over use of disposable cups, glasses and plates to avoid excess use of water.

Educational institutions are also feeling the pinch. Recently, a coaching centre in the city asked its students to attend classes online due to an 'emergency' for a week. Similarly, a school on Bannerghatta Road was also closed, asking students to attend classes online just like they did during the Covid pandemic.

Residents have come with up new methods to try and conserve water. With temperature rising, it is difficult to avoid a daily shower but they are left with no option but to take bath on alternative days, said Sujatha, a resident of KR Puram.

"What to do? Clean vessels, cook food, wash clothes....so, we have started using paper plates, that way we have cut down on our water usage. And we order food twice a week. We are using the washing machine only once in a week now," she said.

Some others have resorted to visiting a mall to take a shower or use the toilet facilities.

Lakshmi V, an IT professional living in Singasandra, has been requesting her firm to allow WFH option so that she and her family can temporarily shift to her native place in Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu until the situation becomes better.

"If the situation persists, we are thinking of seeking a work from home option. We are planning to move to our native place in Tamil Nadu temporarily till rain arrives here," she said.

Bengaluru primarily gets its water supply from two sources - Cauvery river and groundwater. For most non-drinking uses, recycled water processed by sewage treatment plants is used. With no rain for a while now, the primary sources have been stretched to their limits. Bengaluru needs 2,600-2,800 million litres of water daily, and the current supply is half of what's required. The result is a daily struggle for the city's residents.

The brunt is also being borne by people living in the outskirts of Bengaluru, especially in 110 villages that were merged with the city in 2007.

The crisis has also turned into a political battle between the state's ruling Congress government and the opposition BJP with Lok Sabha just weeks away. While the BJP has held several protests blaming the government, the Congress has accused the BJP-ruled federal government of not providing financial assistance to drought-hit Karnataka.

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News Network
March 21,2024

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Mangaluru: A man from Dakshina Kannada was duped of Rs 2.5 lakh after he was promised a Poland visa.

In a complaint, a resident of Belthangady, stated that the accused, Manoj, had promised a job for his son in Poland. 

Between May 22 of last year and March 19, he handed over Rs 2.2 lakh in various phases, citing different reasons.

However, since the accused failed to provide a visa or return the money, a case was registered at the Dharmasthala police station under IPC sections 417 and 420.

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News Network
March 26,2024

Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained two suspects in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case in Bengaluru, sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The preliminary probe has revealed that the two suspects were in direct contact with the suspected bomber.

The NIA sleuths have picked up the suspects from an area in the state capital. However, a statement is yet to be made by the NIA in this regard.

Even as the investigating agencies, both NIA and state special wing CCB teams have launched an extensive search operation in various states, the bomber has remained elusive. The authorities had obtained the bomber’s images and videos from CCTV footage on March 1, soon after the incident.

Sources said that the sleuths were suspecting that the bomber had come from Tamil Nadu and was staying in a neighbouring state for two months before carrying out the blast.

The hair samples of the accused were gathered from the hat of the accused which he abandoned in Bengaluru near a religious place. The authorities have sent the samples for the DNA testing and were hoping for a breakthrough.

The Rameshwaram Cafe bomb blast took place on March 1 on the International Technology Park Limited (ITPL) road in the Brookfield area. Low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used to carry out the blast and nine persons were injured in the incident.

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