New Delhi, Dec 4 (ANI): Union Government on Friday clarified that it will not initiate mining activities in the Kudremukh area of Karnataka without specific clearance from the Supreme Court.

In written reply to the Rajya Sabha Union Minister of State for Steel A. Sai Pratap also ruled out fixing a time frame for the relaunching of the Kuderemukh Iron Ore Company (KIOCL).

The apex court ordered that no mining activities could take place in the biologically rich Kuduremukh area following its declaration as a National Park.

Pratap informed the House that the KIOCL has written off Rs. 61.65 crores during 2005-06, being the written down value of plant and machinery and building, as on the date of closure of the mine.

The KIOCL is incurring an expenditure of around Rs. 60 crores per annum on Kudremukh site towards salary and other amenities of employees posted at Kudremukh, security of plant and machinery and for maintenance of plant and equipment at Kudremukh.

The mining activities in the Kuduremukh region was opposed by people of the area including tribals and intellectuals.

In the year 2000, the movement was divided and took a violent turn paving way for the entry of Maoists in the region. (ANI)