BS Yediyurappa orders crackdown on illegal Mandya mining operations

BENGALURU/SHIVAMOGGA: Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday ordered crackdown on illegal mining in Mandya district’s Baby Betta area very close to the century-old KRS reservoir. Also, the state government said it will soon issue guidelines for stone quarrying, crushers and usage of explosives in the wake of Shivamogga blast that claimed six lives recently.
Following political slugfest over the Baby Betta controversy, the CM said he had instructed district officers to stop the illegal mining in and around the sensitive area.“I’ve asked the deputy commissioners in the state to conduct a survey and initiate action. If unauthorized miners apply for regularisation, then officials should conduct spot inspections and grant permit only if there is no ill-impact,” he said.

Home and law minister Basavaraj Bommai said a meeting on Monday will deliberate on the issue before coming out with guidelines.
Facing flak from the Congress, Yediyurappa clarified he was not in favour of regularising unauthorized quarrying in the state.
Illegal mining should stop: CM
The CM said supply of crushed stones is essential for the development of infrastructure. “There is no objection to supplying the crushed stones legally. When there was a shortage of the crushed stones earlier, we would bring them from Bengaluru and Mangaluru. If the problem recurs, then there will be a burden on the exchequer, delaying development works. Hence, crushed stones are required. But illegal mining should stop,” he said.
He said Bhovi community makes crushed stones manually and are dependent on quarries for their living. The government is considering their interest too, he added. “...But crushers should be set up under guidelines and within the legal framework.”