Daijiworld Media Network - Shimoga (SP)

Shimoga, Aug 25: "In spite of being the Chief Minister of the state, and although I am aware that thousands of tonnes of iron ore gets transported illegally from Bellary district, I have failed to plug it," admitted state Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. He was speaking at the progress review meeting of the district conducted here on Monday August 24.

He said this, after turning his ire at the forest department officials, against whom the peoples' representatives had complained. The members of local bodies and others had said that the development activities in the district are suffering for want of crushed stone. They had pointed out that the blocks of stones are found in the district only in forest lands and that the forest officials have been rigid in not allowing quarrying in forest lands.

Yeddyurappa said, he is aware that mining is going in forest land in Bellary on a large scale. He added that because of his helplessness in containing this activity, he decided to raise the value of the iron ore, so that the government could increase its income. At the same time, he claimed, his is the only government to have not granted any fresh mining licences. So, he advised the forest officials here, not to create problems for purposes that are for the general well being of the people and also where poor people are involved.

His advice to the forest officials was received with thunderous applause from those present at the meeting.