Karnataka misplaced near 80,000 crore owing to unlawful iron ore extraction

Karnataka suffered near ₹80,000 crore in losses within the unlawful iron ore extraction rip-off, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK. Patil knowledgeable the Legislative Council on Friday.

Participating in a dialogue throughout the passage of the Karnataka Appointment of Recovery Commissioner for Seizure and Attachment of Property of unlawful Mining and Proceedings of Crime Bill, 2025, he mentioned that the quantum of iron ore extracted illegally between 2005 and 2011 is estimated to be about 20 lakh crore tonnes, whose worth at a price of ₹4,003 per tonne can be ₹80,000 crore.

According to him, 111 firms indulged in unlawful extraction within the State. “The Recovery Commissioner is being appointed to get better the cash,” Mr. Patil mentioned.

Cabinet choices

Mr. Patil headed a Cabinet sub-committee on unlawful extraction which just lately submitted its report back to the Chief Minister and its 11 suggestions have been accepted by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet has determined to determine fast-track courts to attempt unlawful extraction circumstances. It has additionally determined to overview ‘B’ reviews in 29 circumstances submitted to the courts by the SIT and withdraw ‘B’ reviews in eight different circumstances.

It has additionally determined to request the Centre to return circumstances that have been earlier referred to the CBI however not investigated even after 10 years. These circumstances can be handed over to SIT. It additionally determine to arrange investigating groups on a case-by-case foundation within the Forest Department to estimate losses cased by unlawful extraction.