Indian government admitted that several incidents of the illegal mining all over the country especially for iron and manganese ore have come to the notice of the central government.

It said “In order to make an inquiry into a definite matter of public importance, namely, mining of iron ore and manganese ore in contravention of the provisions of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957, the Forest Act 1980, the Environment Act, 1986 and other Central and State Acts and the Rules and guidelines issued there under and raising, transportation and exporting of such ores illegally or without lawful authority at various places within the country, the Ministry of Mines in exercise of powers conferred by section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 has appointed a Commission of Inquiry consisting of Justice MB Shah, retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India.”

The Commission has submitted first interim report.

Based on the finding of the first interim report, the government has already initiated action.

The Commission has carried out inspection of several mining sites in the states of Karnataka, Goa, Odisha.