The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) today said that large-scale illegal mining is on in Karnataka particularly in Bellary district in connivance with officials and public representatives. Special forest bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia issued notice to the Karnataka government and sought its response on various findings in the CEC's interim report. This includes export of 304.91 lakh metric tonnes of iron ore without valid permit between 2003 to 2009-10. The report, which was placed before the bench, said that there has been illegal mining on colossal scale in the state, particularly in Bellary district with active connivance of officials of the departments concerned and also public representatives. The apex court had in February directed the CEC to conduct a probe over allegations of illegal mining in the state and submit a report within six weeks. The court's direction had come after a petition filed by an NGO had submitted that as per Karnataka Lokayukta report, mining activities were being carried not only illegally but also in the areas categorised as forest land. Earlier, the bench had directed the CEC to probe the Andhra Pradesh side of the Bellary region.