To assess the losses incurred by the Forest Department due to illegal mining, case-wise investigative teams will be constituted within the department.
Published Aug 23, 2025 | 3:30 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 23, 2025 | 3:30 PM
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has approved a Cabinet Sub-Committee report recommending strict action against illegal mining. Measures include fast-track courts, a Recovery Commissioner, and re-evaluation of 29 ‘B’ reports. An estimated ₹78,245 crore loss was reported from illegal iron ore mining. The government plans legal action, CBI probe acceleration, and property confiscation, vowing zero tolerance for the plunder of public wealth.
The Karnataka government has approved the Cabinet Sub-Committee report on measures to be taken regarding illegal mining the state.
On Friday, 22 August, in the assembly, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced sweeping changes such as setting up of fast-track courts to expedite trial of cases registered by the SIT or other investigative agencies concerning illegal mining.
Further, the Cabinet had decided to accept the recommendations to re-evaluate ‘B’ reports in 29 cases. It was observed that in several instances, the reasons recorded in the ‘B’ reports did not appear convincing on the face of it.
As per the sub-committee’s recommendation, the Cabinet has also approved a draft bill to appoint a Recovery Commissioner to facilitate the recovery of financial losses caused by illegal mining and to confiscate properties acquired through such unlawful gains.
According to information, between 2006 and 2011, large-scale illegal mining was carried out in Karnataka and influential politicians, businessmen, officials, and others were involved in this illegal exploitation of the state’s resources. The Lokayukta took these serious violations into account, investigated the matter, and submitted a report.
The chief minister said that during his government’s tenure from 2013 to 2018, a Cabinet Sub-Committee was constituted. The sub-committee, after estimating the vast losses caused to the state exchequer by illegal mining, made certain recommendations in its meeting held on 16 October, 2015.
He said that at that time, his government had had taken multiple measures to curb illegal mining activities. However, after the change of government, recovery and other related actions concerning illegal mining slowed down.
Considering that sufficient measures against the looting of public wealth had not been taken, the present government, constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee under the chairmanship of HK Patil, Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism.
He added that the said sub-committee conducted a detailed examination, held meetings at regular intervals, and submitted its report on 13 August, 2025.
This report was subsequently discussed and approved in the special Cabinet meeting held on 19 August 2025.
The details released regarding the estimated quantity of iron ore extracted through illegal mining were as follows:
In total, from 111 iron ore leases classified as Category ‘B’ and ‘C’, the Sub-Committee observed that an estimated 19.07 crore metric tons of iron ore had been illegally mined and transported.
According to the Lokayukta Report, Siddaramaiah said that around 2.98 crore metric tons of iron ore were already exported, valued at approximately ₹12,228 crores (at an average of ₹4,103 per ton). The remaining 16.09 crore metric tons of iron ore, when valued similarly, accounts for a further ₹66,017 crores in losses to the state exchequer.
Overall, the estimated loss due to the illegal export of 19.07 crore metric tons of iron ore amounts to ₹78,245 crores.
In 8 cases where the SIT submitted ‘B’ reports but court permission has not yet been granted, the Cabinet has decided to withdraw the ‘B’ reports.
To assess the losses incurred by the Forest Department due to illegal mining, case-wise investigative teams will be constituted within the department.
The Cabinet has further resolved to request the Central Government either to direct the CBI to expedite investigations into cases pending for over 10 years without progress or to withdraw such cases back from the CBI and entrust them to the SIT for completion.
Furthermore, the Police Department has been instructed to file charge sheets in FIRs registered at local police stations concerning illegal iron ore mining and transportation and to ensure the early disposal of such cases.
The chief minister added that CEC (Central Empowered Committee) had submitted its estimates of iron ore quantities extracted from Category ‘B’ leases to the Supreme Court in 2019 for approval. Since the matter is still pending, officials have been directed to take steps to ensure early approval from the Supreme Court.
Now to efficiently handle cases pending before courts in Bengaluru and New Delhi, a dedicated team of legal experts specializing in mining laws will be constituted. In accordance with the recommendations of the Lokayukta, appropriate action will be initiated against government officials, staff, intermediaries, and private persons who aided or abetted illegal mining.
“The Government would also like to categorically state before this House that it will not tolerate the plunder of public wealth under any circumstances,” he added.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
