From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 20: Obviously disappointed at not being allotted the Large and Medium Industries portfolio in the B S Yediyurappa ministry, the new Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani seems to be a man in a hurry to bring complete reforms in Karnataka’s mining sector.
An industrialist himself, Nirani is fully aware of the bad reputation and negative publicity earned by the mining sector in the State in the past and has been busy carrying out systematic exercises to frame a new mining policy and weed out corruption as well as inertia that had dogged his ministry.
Within a month of taking charge of the Mines and Geology Department, Nirani has been keeping himself busy by visiting different district and holding meetings with officials and representatives of the mine owners as well as owners of the stone crushing units and sand extraction owners as well as transporters to personally ascertain their problems before coming out with his own solutions.
Apart from promising to unveil a new mining and sand extraction policy in the State for the years 2021-26, which according to him will be a model for the entire country, Nirani has already created a record of sorts by allotting granite quarrying licences without auctions and still ensuring that there was no whiff of corruption or other irregularities.
With the support of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, the Mines and Geology Minister has taken steps to revive the granite quarrying business as it provides employment to thousands of people besides giving an impetus to the construction and other ancillary activities.
In a recent decision of the State Cabinet, the granite and stone crushing owners cooperative society of Muddakkanahalli village in Tumakuru district’s Sira taluk has been given permission for resume granite quarrying and stone crushing activities, which has expected to provide direct employment to about 5,000 persons.
The Society has been granted the licence as a special case based on the decision taken at the State Cabinet meeting.
The Minister has been going through all the pending cases and clearing files, which had been kept pending for a long time.
Panchamasali convention on Sunday
Earlier in the morning, the minister visited the Bengaluru Palace Grounds to inspect the arrangements for the convention of the Panchamasali Lingyats, which is being held on Sunday, February 21.
After inspecting the Bengaluru Palace Grounds arrangements for the convention, he also held consultations with Sri Basava Jayamrithyuanjaya Swamiji of Koodalasangama as well as the pontiff of the Harihar Peetha Sri Vachanananda Swamjiji, Chief Minister’s Legal Advisor Mohan Limbikai, former MLA Vijayananda Kashappanavar and other prominent leaders of the community.