Karnataka admits to illegal iron ore exports

BANGALORE: The state government on Tuesday, which prepared a draft objection to be filed in the High Court within a day or two, admitted that from November 2009 to March 2010 nearly 35,31,918 metric tonne of iron ore was illegally stored and exported from Karwar and Belekeri ports.

     This draft objection is yet to be finalised by the government advocate, but it was the first time that the government accepted that nearly 57,17,370 metric tonne iron ore was exported at Karwar and Belekeri ports over the last five months, when the total number of permits issued by the Department of Mines and Geology was only 21,85,452. This means nearly 35,31,918 metric tonne iron ore was illegally stored for the purpose of export, the government stated.

Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, while interacting with Express journalists on Sunday, had said that 35 lakh tonnes of iron ore has been exported from the state illegally. He added that the figure could be as high as 50 lakh tonnes. The Express had reported this on Monday.

The Forest Department had registered a case and seized nearly 8,05,000 metric tonnes of iron ore at Karwar and Belekeri ports between March 15 and 20, and had initiated criminal action against seven exporters and four stevedores, the government said in its objections.

A case was booked under Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act and Mineral Concession Rules against the exporters.