Karnataka government earns lakhs daily as fines on illegal mining
Even though illegal mining of iron ore in Karnataka has considerably reduced, mining illegally is still on at some parts of the state. As a result of that, the government earns lakhs of rupees daily in the form of fines. The State government has earned Rs. 7 lakh a day in the past four-and-a-half years as fines from those caught violating mining laws.
Around 11,497 trucks seized in 1,643 days
According to reports submitted to the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) by the state, on an average daily seven trucks a day were seized by the authorities through raids on illegal mining activity in various districts of the state that include Ballari, Chitradurga, and Mysuru. In the period between April 2013 to September 2017, a total number of 11,497 trucks were seized.
Around 1,798 FIRs were filed against illegal mining
As per reports, the government has earned a total of Rs. 112 crore in fines from those breaching Section 23C of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 1957 that deals with illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals. Around 1,798 FIRs were filed against illegal mining in the past four-and-a-half years, while 468 cases were registered in various courts.
To monitor illegal mining activities, Centre will take ISRO's help
To monitor such illegal mining activities in the state, the government at the Centre has signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC). They will use high-resolution satellite imagery and a digital elevation model for the same. Reportedly, the pilot project is ongoing in Ballari-Hospet area of the state.
