Mindless mining mangled Karnataka: Hegde

KOCHI: Bellary has been looted beyond recognition due to the mindless mining  activities. It has taken its toll on the people, environment and the Exchequer of Karnataka, Justice Santosh Hegde, former Lokayukta of Karnataka and judge of Supreme Court has said. His report on illegal mining activities as Lokayukta has indicted former Chief Ministers Yeddyurappa and Kumaraswamy, Reddy brothers and 797 who looted the exchequer of `16,000 crore during the past decade. Till 2000, only lumps of iron ore were sought after and fine ore or dust piled up in every nook and cranny of the mining belt. But once the Chinese invented a technology to convert dust into use, the demand for it rose and people began to rise to the occasion. They paid `27 as royalty but sold it for `5,000 and above per metric tonne.  It was available free of cost and the Reddy brothers who had no knowledge of mining ventured into it. Corruption, money power, muscle power and manipulations ruled the roost. Soon they became barons. When Janardhana Reddy was made the district  minister in charge, he handpicked all his men, from peons to director of mines, and all began to reap rich dividends. Illegal transfer of leases termed ‘raising lease’, ‘no risk transport’, heavy loading causing destruction of roads and blocking agricultural activities became rampant.  Water resources were polluted, forests denuded, rare medicinal herbs lost and sloth bear turned extinct. The ramifications were many. “The future of the youth aged between 15 and 25 looks bleak as they have been lured with mobile phones, motorbikes and money to keep the barons informed about inspections,” said the man who showed what the Lokayukta’s role is. The solutions given by him was to stop ore exports which were not profitable, to mine in a sustained manner by giving licence to companies as ore cannot be regenerated. Thirdly, factories should be set up on the foothills of the mining hillocks to facilitate transportation. But though export was stopped in Karnataka, it did not in Andhra Pradesh, since Obulapuram is on the borders of both states and the Reddys own mining companies in both the states. The ore was taken to Andhra and exported. But going by the quantity and quality, the origin of the ore could be in Karnataka for the ore in Bellary is far superior (Fe 64). Ever since his term as Lokayukta ended last month, Hegde is into an anti-corruption drive. He is with Anna on anti-corruption only and not the other agenda. He is strongly for Lok Pal Bill with the Prime Minister and judiciary in its purview. “I plan to visit 300 colleges and interact with students and spread the message of anti-corruption. Only the satisfaction that one gets from ones sincere efforts and earning is lasting,” he said.