From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, May 29: The State Government is taking steps to implement the Karnataka Mines and Minerals Concessions (Amendment) Rules 2020 and also for revision as well as simplification of mining, granite leases and distribution along with revision of the royalties, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa indicated in Bengaluru on Friday.
Reviewing the performance and functioning the of the State Mines and Geology Department, the Chief Minister said the State Government was trying to sort out the technical problems in disposing of the 800 million tonnes of minerals that had been extracted before the recent decision of the Supreme Court in cancelling the ‘C’ Class mining leases.
“Officials are in discussion with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) office on the sale of the 800 million tonnes of minerals extracted and lying with the government prior to the Supreme Court decision,’’ he said.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to conduct survey by deploying drones to check mining activities without obtaining prior permission and also to prevent all illegal mining activities and promised to release more funds for the deployment of drones to carry out the surveys.
Yediyurappa also directed the officials to seek the permission from the Forests and Environment Ministry for carrying out the exploration of iron ore mining deposits in forest areas.
Mines and Geology Minister C C Patil, who participated in the review meeting, said the royalties collected from the mining lease holders amounted to Rs 28 crore and the money was being utilized for the welfare of the people in the mining areas as per the directions of the Union Government for control of the COVID 19 situation.
The demand for sand in Karnataka was around 45 million tonnes, Patil said pointing out that as much as 38 million tonnes of sands was already being supplied. The implementation of the new sand mining policy would help in improving the collection of more royalty, he said.
The pending applications for mining and granite extraction leases would be disposed of after the revision of the Karnataka Mines and Minor Minerals Concessions (Amendment) Rules, he said.
Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar, Finance Department Principal Secretary ISN Prasad and Mines and Geology Department Principal Secretary Shivashankar attended the meeting.
Demand for resumption of filming activities
Earlier, a delegation led by Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy Chairman Sunil Puranik called on Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa at his home office Krishna and submitted a memorandum demanding permission for allowing film shooting activities.
The Chief Minister promised to take a decision in consultation with the Centre.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce former President Sa Ra Govindu and others were part of the delegation.