Thaindian News

Bangalore, Se 11 (IANS) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma Saturday told the Karnataka government that banning iron ore export was not the solution to check illegal mining in the state.
“Just stopping movement from minor ports is not going to help,” Sharma told reporters here commenting on Karnataka government’s July 29 ban on export of iron ore from ten ports under its control in the state.

He advised Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa not to confuse the issue. “The real issue is checking illegal mining. Those engaged in legal mining should not be punished (by banning export),” he added.

“It would be better for the Karnataka government, the chief minister not to confuse the issue,” Sharma said.

On the plea of Yeddyurappa to the central government to ban iron ore export, the union minister said that would result in unemployment and revenue loss (for the governments).

Indian mines produced around 235 million tonnes a year and the domestic consumption was only about 90 million tonnes, Sharma said.

Yeddyurappa announced the ban as he is under pressure to check illegal mining.

The illegal mining has become a major headache for him as two of his ministers, G. Janardhana Reddy, Tourism, and his elder brother G. Karunakara Reddy, are accused of large-scale illegal mining by the opposition Congress and Janata Dal-Secular.

The Reddys own Obulapuram Mining Company and mainly have mines in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. But they are charged with illegal mining in their political base and iron ore rich Karnataka district of Bellary.