'Probe export of Bellary's illicit iron ore'.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court's environmental panel on Thursday recommended a CBI probe into the brazen flouting of rules in transportation of 50 lakh tonnes of illegally mined iron ore from Bellary district to Belekeri port, some 400 km away, and their surreptitious export despite the ore being seized by the forest department.

In a hard-hitting report laying bare the deep-rooted official-mining mafia nexus, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) through secretary M K Jiwrajika said, "Transportation of such a huge quantity of iron ore involving more than 5 lakh truck trips could not have been possible without the active connivance of the concerned officers and other public servants."

While recommending a detailed probe by the CBI, the CEC report added, "The Karnataka forest department had seized the entire stock of iron ore lying in Belekeri port on March 20, 2010 but the majority has substantially been illegally exported. The probe carried out so far by the state of Karnataka through the CID does not inspire confidence."

The report submitted through amicus curiae A D N Rao said the CEC was of the "considered view that intervention of the Supreme Court is required so as to ensure that effective investigations and deterrent action against persons found guilty are taken without any undue delay".

It said the CBI must investigate "all aspects of the illegalities associated with raising, transportation, sale and purchase, storage and disposal of about 33.98 lakh tonnes of iron ore exported from January 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010 by four exporters - ILC Industries Ltd (9.68 lakh tonnes), Dream Logistics Company (India) Pvt Ltd (9.16 lakh tonnes), S B Logistics (7.74 lakh tonnes) and Shree Mallikarjuna Shipping Pvt Ltd (7.23 lakh tonnes) from Belekeri port and consequent receipt/transfer of money within and outside the country".

"The CBI may be directed to undertake preliminary inquiry in respect of 32.27 lakh tonnes of iron ore exported by 18 exporters and each of whom had from January 1, 2009 to May 31, 2010 exported between 1 to 5 lakh tonnes of iron ore from Belekeri port," the CEC said.

"The exporters, port service providers, transporters, suppliers of illegal iron ore and also the persons who caused such illegalities are liable to penal action under the provisions of Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, Karnataka Forest Rules, Indian Penal Code and other applicable Acts/Rules," it added. The CEC report was in response to the SC's August 23 order and in continuation of its report of April 27 on 'alleged illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri port and associated issues'.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com