Bellary Deputy Commissioner Amlan Aditya Biswas has written to the Chief Secretary expressing reservation over the Commerce Department’s decision to allow Varalaxmi Mining Company to resume mining operations in the district.
A copy of the letter that was released to the media here by S R Hiremath, president of Samaj Parivartana Samudaya, the petitioner in the mining case filed in the Supreme Court, stated that exonerating Varalaxmi Mines is illegal.
The Apex court is going to hear the Karnataka mining case continuously for the next three days. Meanwhile, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had last week recommended resumption of mining in all A and B category iron mines. Varalaxmi mines falls under the A category.
Hiremath had filed a 138 page affidavit before the Court last week in this regard.
Commerce and Industries Department Secretary (Mines and Textiles) K Amarnarayan on February 6, setting aside the alleged irregularities of Varalaxmi Mining Company, had given them a clean chit and recommended resumption of mining operations. However, Biswas has written to the Chief Secretary on February 12 opposing this.
“The act of the Secretary (Mines) shows that the mining mafia has a stranglehold over the Karnataka government and wants to return to business as usual,” said Hiremath quoting the letter.
This was the most shocking incident in the recent past and considering that the matter is pending before the Supreme Court, the act of the Secretary (Mines) is irresponsible, he stated.
Hiremath also demanded a detailed probe into the alleged illegalities committed by Congress leader D K Shivakumar and Janata Dal (S) leader P G R Sindhia in the mining case.