Yediyurappa’s makes U-turn, says illegal mining can be regularised in K’taka

Mysuru/Shivamogga, Jan 24 : Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Saturday made a U-turn on illegal mining and quarrying as he went from first declaring that his government will not allow them, only to retract it later, asserting that such activities can be regularised.
“I will not allow illegal mining. Whoever wants to take up mining can do so only after obtaining a licence,” Yediyurappa had told reporters here before leaving for Mysuru and thereafter to Shivamogga, his home district, where a massive explosion killed five people late on Thursday night.
In Mysuru, Yediyurappa told reporters that mining and quarrying are inevitable for development.
“There are road works and highway projects for which mining and quarrying are needed. But illegal mining can’t be allowed. It’s not good for anyone, including those indulging in it,” he said, adding that illegal miners can file an application to regularise the illegal mining and continue their activities.
“We will have no objection. If they fail to get their mines regularised, deputy commissioners have been instructed to do a spot inspection and take appropriate action,” he said.
After visiting the blast site in Shivamogga, Yediyurappa contradicted his own cabinet ministers’ statements that the quarry where the massive explosion took place was in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). “How can a quarry or mining be allowed in an eco-sensitive zone,” he asked.