The State Cabinet on Thursday allowed stone quarrying within 100 metres of forest borders.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said different interpretations of Section 42(2) of the Karnataka Forest Act made the Mines and Geology department issue circulars banning stone quarrying within 100 metres of forest borders. A large number of crushing units had consequently shut shop, resulting in a severe shortage of jelly stones, he said.
“The section only pertains to land grant, that is, the government cannot grant land within that zone. There is no bar on quarrying,” Jayachandra said.
“Legal experts were consulted to resolve the issue.” He said all government circulars regarding the matter, issued since 2006, would be withdrawn to facilitate stone quarrying.
The Cabinet decision will lead to reopening of 300 units. Sources said one of the immediate beneficiaries would be Congress MP from Bangalore (Rural) D K Suresh, who is into the quarrying business at Kanakapura taluk in Ramanagar district.
Based on a report submitted by IFS officer U V Singh, the forest department had cited 143 cases of illegal stone quarrying in Kanakapura. According to the forest department report, around 90 per cent of the cases pertain to quarrying within 100 metres of forest land.
Justifying the government’s move, Jayachandra said there was a severe shortage of jelly stones after most of the 3,000 crushing units in the State closed down. In several areas, construction activities, especially upgrading state and national highways, had come to a standstill.
“The move will provide some relief. A case is pending before the high court and the government would convey its position to it accordingly,” he added.