Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/MB)

Mangalore, Dec 21: Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde has decided to correspond with the union government in order to have the export of iron ore from Karnataka.  

Speaking tomedia persons here, he stated that a shocking quantum of ore has been exported through the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT), 6th major port across the country.  

“The government exchequer does not even earn 10 per cent of revenue from export of ore,” stated Hegde.  ‘One does not need further proof to testify to the ongoing illegal mining across the state,’ he said.

Pressure would be exerted on the union government to ban the widespread illegal mining going on in Chitradurga and Tumkur districts, he added.

The Lokayukta report on the investigations of illegal mining would be submitted to the governor after the legislative assembly polls in the state.  If the illegal mining of indiscriminate quantity was allowed, there would not be any more ore deposits left.  The exports in unjustified quantity of ore would pose serious consequences to the national development.  

In this backdrop, the union government would be urged to impose a ban on unrestricted quantum of ore export.