The Supreme Court has partially lifted the ban on mining by private operators in three districts of Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga in Karnataka. The court also allowed the auction of iron ore already lying in stockyards under the supervision of monitoring committee. The apex court had imposed the ban on mining in the three districts last year following reports of rampant illegal mining and environmental degradation. The court directed the Union Environment and Forest Ministry to revisit clearances given in the light of the reclamation and resettlement programme. A bench headed by Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia ordered that no unbroken areas in the forest would be excavated. The court said mines of more than 50 hectares can restart production after their environmental plans are approved by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee yesterday recommended a CBI probe into the alleged illegal mining activity in the state allegedly permitted by the then Chief Minister B.S. Yedurappa and the role of two companies. The high powered committee said there are gross irregularities in allotments of mining leases by the former Chief Minister and his relatives. The panel has recommended that CBI may probe money transfer to Trusts run by former Chief Minister's family members.