HUBBALLI: With trouble looming for hundreds of illegal granite mining and polishing industries in Bagalkot district following a crackdown by the special investigation team, their owners have rushed to the local court seeking anticipatory bail.
The probe team has already served a notice on all granite industries following several complaints including unauthorised quarrying, violation of environment norms and tax evasion. The authorities are closing in on illegal granite industries after a complaint was lodged against them with the Lokayukta.
Politicians have played a key role in supplying raw materials to these industries through illegal quarrying in adjacent Lingasgur, Kushtagi, Yalaburga taluks. Illegal granite units mushroomed during the last one decade in Bagalkot, Koppal and Raichur districts. Effluent released from granite polishing units has triggered health problems and reduced fertility of land in surrounding areas.
This has also led to a tussle among ruling Congressmen as owners of granite units began approaching them for renewal of licences and to obtain clearance from the pollution control board. The upshot: the Lokayukta and police authorities have carried out raids on several unauthorised units by lodging suo motu cases against them.
“Illegal quarrying, unauthorised granite and polishing units fetch crores of revenue to politicians in the form of ‘Hafta’, causing huge loss to the state exchequer. A thorough probe has been undertaken after our campaign against such illegal activities. We will continue our protest until illegal miners are punished and also to protect the environment as granite units cause pollution in the district”, said Ilkal Janajagruti Vedike general secretary Nagaraj Hongal.
Just as in neighbouring Ballari, Bagalkot, Koppal and Raichur districts have witnessed a spurt in political clout because of illegal stone quarrying and unauthorised granite industries. The industry has become backbone for leaders of all parties as well as the source of revenue for them.
