Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Feb 24: Murugesh Nirani, minister for mines and geology said that the state government is planning to introduce a new mining policy in Karnataka.
Addressing a press meet at the circuit house here on Wednesday, February 24, Nirani said, "The state government is planning to introduce a new mining policy to stop illegal mining and increase its revenue. The new policy will make it easier to access sand and other materials for an affordable price. However, this policy is still under review. A committee will submit a draft to the government in this regard."
Minister Nirani at a press meet
On the Chikkaballapur blast which claimed the lives of six people, he said, "The incident occurred as explosives were being transported from the spot to another place. After a blast in Shivamogga, meetings have been held with officials of mines and geology, police, revenue and forest departments to prevent such incidents in the future. As per the directions, the officials had started raids, fearing the raid, there was the transportation of explosives to another destination which took place at 12.30 am, two-kilometre away from the quarry."
"The chief minister has provided compensation of Rs 5 lac each to the family members of the victims. Further, the owner of the quarry has also been asked to provide additional compensation to the victim's families."
He also said that in the district the administration has issued a work order for sand mining in the Adyapady dam. This would help to meet the demand for sand and help for the storage of water.
To avoid the illegal transport of sand to Kerala the district administration is working on software that will be installed at the checkpoints.
"The department is thinking of a separate mining policy to Dakshina Kannada district," Nirani said.
"To train the unskilled mining workers and educate them on explosives scientifically, the department is planning to establish a separate school of mining along with a university. The college would come up at the centre of the state and would likely be in Bellary or Chitradurga where there are more mining operations," he said.
He also said that the department has planned to hold a separate mining court to hear grievances of the people and find solutions to their problems on the spot, every last Saturday of the month.
DC Dr Rajendra KV, Diwakar Samani were present.