CEC Report Calls Mining in Chitradurga and Tumkur Illegal and Irresponsible

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court, submitted a report that agrees with the Karnataka Lokayukta in calling the iron ore mining in Chitradurga and Tumkur districts as illegal and irresponsible. The amicus curiae, A D N Rao has said that the adverse effects in both districts were identical to the one witnessed in Bellary and has advocated that mining be controlled by the apex court, as it was done in Bellary. The court has issued a notice to the Karnataka Government and has asked for a response within a week. The CEC reported heavy damage to Tumkur forested areas and identifies streams as being polluted by fine particles from mines. These are carried into surrounding water bodies and agricultural fields. Air and noise pollution is also reported from a large number of trucks carrying iron ore. Large illegalities and irregularities have taken place in the matter of mining ore.