Replying a question in the state legislative Assembly, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah indicated that his government would set up a fast-track court to hear illegal mining cases.
Illegal mining in the state between 2006 and 2010 caused a loss of Rs 16,085 crore to the state exchequer, according to the final report of the then Karnataka Lokayukta Justice (Retd) N Santosh Hegde.
Hegde submitted his final report to the government on July 27, 2011.
The Chief Minister listed the steps taken by the government regarding action taken against the officials named in the report, including issuance of notices, suspension, forcible retirement, filing of criminal cases and ordering of Lok Ayukta probe.
Siddaramaiah admitted to delay in action against officials named in the final report even though it has been almost two years since the report was tabled.
The Central Empowered Committee has gone into the illegal mining cases in Karntaka, which is also being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Meanwhile, the state government decided to suggest the central government to raise royalty on iron ore mining. The central government fixed 10 per cent (ad valorem basis) of market price of every tonne of iron ore as royalty to the government. But the centre does ask the state for its opinion.