With the drive against those indulged in illegal mining activities by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Lokayukta Special Investigating Team still going on, the Forest department is after mine owners to recover Forest Development Tax (FDT).
As the first step, the department has served notice to 14 mining companies operating in the district, asking them to remit Rs. 159 crores FDT.
Official sources told The Hindu that FDT to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore is due from 69 ‘A’ and ‘B’ category mining firms in the district.
Sources say the arrears, are due from 2008 to 2011, prior to mining activities coming to a standstill following directions from the Supreme Court.
Later, the sale of iron ore through e-auction came into force, with the FDT deducted and remitted to the Forest Department directly from the sale proceeds.
Takat Singh Ranawat, Deputy Conservator of Forest, said the department would send a proposal to the government to permit it to recover the arrears from mining firms through the sale proceeds after e-auctioning their iron ore stocks. Until then, the process of issuing notices would be continued, he said.
The firms
Notices for recovery of FDT have been served to the following mining firms. [Figures indicate the amount due (in crores)]
B. Kumargouda Mines Sandur (19.34); Ramgadh Mines and Minerals Ltd. (8.9); M. Hanumantha Rao Sandur (1.15); Zeenath Transport Co. (7.76); Nadeem Minerals (16.51); MSPL Hosapete (12.5), V. Balasubbashetty and Sons, Hosapete (12.5); Sri Gavisiddeshwar Minerals (23.32); National Mineral Development Corporation (33.91); Ashwathnarayana Singh (17.23); G.G. Brothers (1.86); H.R. Gaviyappa (3.13); H.N. Premkumar (0.65) and Lakshmi Minerals (0.22).
Forest Development Tax to the tune of
Rs. 1,000 crore due from 69 ‘A’ and ‘B’ category mining firms
