Mining-hit areas: Mega restoration on cards

Mines and Geology Minister Halappa Achar said Rs 19,000 crore collected for development of areas ravaged by mining will be released by the Monitoring Committee for spending on developmental works. Replying to K.P. Tippeswamy in the State Legislative Council here on Tuesday, the minister said the Supreme Court constituted the Monitoring Committee on the basis of a report by Samajik Parivarthan Samsthe. A detailed report was submitted to the apex court on October 11, 2018 proposing a comprehensive environmental rejuvenation scheme in the mining ravaged districts of Ballari, Chitradurga and Tumakuru.

It included drinking water, sanitation, village development, roads, education and improvement of health that would cost around Rs 24,996 crore. The Monitoring Committee is headed by Deepak Sarma and U.V. Singh, retired IFS officers and officers from the Department of Mines and Geology.

Achar said the committee would not directly collect the fee from mining companies but would auction ‘C’ grade ore. Revenue has been collected after imposing a penalty on ‘A’ and ‘B’ grade ore. The government will bring the collection of Rs 19,000 crore to the notice of the Supreme Court and get it released by the Monitoring Committee on rejuvenation schemes.