Ore, Granite Slabs Export Banned from Ports Except M’lore Until Lokayukta Probe
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SB)
Bangalore, Jul 27: State government has issued an order to ban export of ore and granite slabs from the ports in the state excepting from the Mangalore port until the lokayukta probe on illegal mining and disappearance of ore at Belekeri in Uttara Kannada district.
The ban has been imposed under Karnataka Forest Act 1963, Karnataka Forest Rules 1969 and Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act 1957 and Indian Penal Code accordingly. However, Theban does not imply to New Mangalore Port Trust that comes under the centre. The deputy commissioners of the Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Hassan districts have already imposed a ban on transportation of ore and granite slabs on road from the district.
It can be recalled here that High Court recently had passed an order ban on ore export of ten companies of the state. In order to make sure that these companies do not export ores by illegal means, as a precautionary measure until the lokayukta probe government has decided to ban the export of the ore and granite slabs. In the wake of lokayukta’s decision to conduct a probe in detail, the government has also ordered excise officials not to grant permission for exports from mini ports in the west coast of the state.