Abiding by a Supreme Court directive , the Karnataka government has terminated the permits of 51 iron ore mining firms belonging to top politicians of the state.
The department of commerce and industries (mines) has issued a notification cancelling 51 iron ore mining leases under category C. This means that the state government has taken complete control of these 51 mines under category C.
VSL Mining Company, allegedly belonging to information and infrastructure minister Santosh Lad, also figures in the list of cancelled mines.
Meanwhile, while refusing his involvement into VSL Mining Company, Santosh Lad reportedly said that he has nothing to do with this mining firm and his name is wrongly linked with illegal mining.
The minister has also filed a petition before SC regarding the issue.
Other firms, of which permits have been terminated include, SB Minerals, owned by MLA and former minister Anand Singh, Associated Mining Company of former minister G Janardhan Reddy, and Matha Mining Company in which kin of the former minister V Somanna is said to have shares, are among the prominent mines that have been cancelled.
The government has also terminated the permits of Bharat Mines and Minerals, Latha Mining Company, Deccan Mining Syndicate and Trident Minerals.
The SC, on 18 April, 2013, ordered the cancellation of mining leases of 51 mining companies for carrying out rampant mining illegally outside the lease area in the districts of Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga.
The department of commerce and industries (mines) has issued a notification cancelling 51 iron ore mining leases under category C. This means that the state government has taken complete control of these 51 mines under category C.
VSL Mining Company, allegedly belonging to information and infrastructure minister Santosh Lad, also figures in the list of cancelled mines.
Meanwhile, while refusing his involvement into VSL Mining Company, Santosh Lad reportedly said that he has nothing to do with this mining firm and his name is wrongly linked with illegal mining.
The minister has also filed a petition before SC regarding the issue.
Other firms, of which permits have been terminated include, SB Minerals, owned by MLA and former minister Anand Singh, Associated Mining Company of former minister G Janardhan Reddy, and Matha Mining Company in which kin of the former minister V Somanna is said to have shares, are among the prominent mines that have been cancelled.
The government has also terminated the permits of Bharat Mines and Minerals, Latha Mining Company, Deccan Mining Syndicate and Trident Minerals.
The SC, on 18 April, 2013, ordered the cancellation of mining leases of 51 mining companies for carrying out rampant mining illegally outside the lease area in the districts of Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga.