The National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) on Sunday demanded that the Government check illegal mining in Tumkur district and remove Minister for Housing V. Somanna as in-charge of Tumkur district.
Addressing presspersons here, S.R. Hiremath, founder chairman, NCPNR, said the Government claimed that it has taken steps to check illegal mining in its affidavit filed recently before the Supreme Court. But Matha Minerals, owned partly by the sons of Mr. Somanna, was involved in illegal mining, he alleged.
NCPNR, which had earlier released findings of illegal mining in Bellary district, has come out with documentary evidence of illegal mining in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts. It has decided to submit documents to the Karnataka Lokayukta and the Supreme Court. The government should follow one yardstick for curbing illegal mining in all districts, he said.
Mr. Hiremath alleged that the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), owned by the Reddy brothers in Bellary, and sons of Mr. Somanna in Tumkur district have been carrying out illegal mining and looting the State resources.
“The undue influence of Mr. Somanna and his sons in the case of Matha Minerals in Tumkur district is evident from serious irregularities and illegalities that occurred in carrying out mining,” he said While the Department of Mines and Geology has submitted a report on the alleged illegal encroachment and mining by Matha Minerals to the Government, officials concerned are facing the charge of protecting the interests of the company by imposing a penalty of Rs. 16.35 lakh.
The issue of illegal mining in the State, which was hitherto restricted to Ministers from Bellary, has now extended to Mr. Somanna, as his sons, Naveen and Arun, are said to be partners in Matha Minerals, which is facing charges of encroachment and illegal mining in Gubbi taluk.
