DH News Service reported that the Karnataka government constituted an inter departmental special cell providing the panel powers to conduct joint surveys on the leases identified in the Lokayukta’s interim reports as having involved in illegal mining.

According to the Government Order, the 14 member Cell headed by the director of Mines and Geology Department, is constituted to curb illegal mining, eliminate loopholes in the functioning of check posts and gather information on iron ore production.

Members on the Special Cell include secretaries of Forest, Home, Public Works Departments; the transport commissioner; the regional controller, Indian Bureau of Mines; member secretary, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, port officers of Karwar, Belekeri, New Mangalore and joint directors of the North and South zones of the Mines and Geology Department.

The panel has been given the powers to constitute five teams to conduct joint survey on the 99 mining leases which as per the Lokayukta’s interim report submitted in December 2008, have encroached upon areas adjoining their mines.

The GO states that the teams will have to complete the survey within a month and officials from the Forest and Revenue departments can be drawn to conduct the survey.

The responsibilities entrusted to the special cell include collecting information on the iron ore production in the state and the quantum being used for value addition by local industries. The panel will also have to gather data on the volume of iron ore which was being exported, the companies which exported ore, the contractors hired by these companies for transport from the mines to ports.

Setting up of the special cell comes close on the heels of the Government’s decision to ban iron ore export and stopping issuance of permits for transporting ore for exports.

(Sourced from DHNS)