Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Mar 14: In the draft notification submitted before the state High Court for approval, the state government has proposed to punish truck owners and sellers who transport or sell more than the prescribed limit of ore, with fine up to Rs 25,000 and imprisonment, which may extend up to one year.

The state government has prepared draft notification to restrain unbridled ore transportation and sales, as per the directions issued by the Supreme Court recently. The government has sought High Court’s clearance to issue the said notification.

As per the notification, the lorry owners found to transport ore in excess of prescribed limit will be fined Rs 10,000 at the first instance. If the offence is repeated, they will be fined Rs 25,000 and sentenced to a year of imprisonment. Those who transport excess ore than permitted, sell over and above limit, cover longer than prescribed limit, and those who obstruct officials from discharging duties, etc, are proposed to be subjected to punitive action of fine and imprisonment as above.

It may be recalled that the state government’s ban order on export of iron ore from ten ports in the state, was upheld by the state High Court. However, the Supreme Court, which overturned the High Court order, directed the state government to draft guiding rules to stop illegal transportation of ore under the guidance of the High Court.

Accordingly, Karnataka Ore (Regulation of Transport) Rules 2008 stands cancelled. As per the new notification, obtaining mineral dispatch permits and fitting of global positioning systems in ore transportation vehicles will be made mandatory. The MDPs will be issued for one day for a distance up to 100 km, with a maximum of eight days for distance in excess of 500 kms. For rail transportation, the MDP will be issued at the rate of one per rake, limiting the MDP expiry period to 15 days. The notification also contains various rules regarding setting up of check posts, checking of vehicles, and registering of first information report, among other things.