NewIndpress
Bangalore, Aug 16: With the announcement of the new mining policy, the State Government is firm on bringing an end to the export of mining activities in the State.
After hoisting the national flag at Manekshaw Parade Ground, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, in his Independence Day address said, “We will not encourage export of mining and in order to stop illegal mining activities, the Government will soon come up with a new mining policy. Our Government is thinking of setting up local steel industries which will provide job opportunities to locals and also focus on the quality improvement.
“We have not approved mining in forests following a directive from the High Court. While about Rs 80,000 crore worth ore is being exported, the State gets only Rs 80 crore in return as royalties. To stop illegal mining and export of mining, the police, transport, revenue and forest department officials should work in co-ordination.”
He also announced the implementation of Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act to curb terror. With the recent bomb blasts and terror threats to the city, there is need to revive KCOCA in order to urgently deal with terrorism, anti-social and naxal activities in the State.
To tackle these issues, KCOCA will be revived and launched soon, he said. Efforts are also on to strengthen the anti-terrorist squad and modernise the police department.
He said required infrastructure and technology will be provided to the police department to ease their burden. A sum of Rs 122 crore has been set apart for the department in the recent Budget, said Yeddyurappa.
The Government will hire a total of 8,581 personnel including 3,420 police constables, 605 woman police constable, 3,855 assistant constables and 701 constables for the India Reserve Battalion.
Also, the recruitment process for 161 police subinspector’s post is in progress.