Govt to submit replies in a week

BANGALORE: The state government sought a week's time to give replies to the 14-point 9-page questionnaire on illegal mining in Karnataka and action taken by the authorities as required by the Supreme Court.Chief secretary S V Ranganath made this request to the Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which concluded its three-day visit here to look into alleged illegal mining in Karnataka. The five-member committee headed by P V Jayakrishna met Ranganath and other senior officials on Monday evening before leaving for New Delhi.The committee visitedseveral mines in Bellary on Saturday and Sunday in Bellary district and heldpublic hearings at Hospet and Sandur. The committee reportedly found severalirregularities by mining companies. The committee is expected to give its reportto the Supreme Court in the second or third week of April.TheSupreme Court constituted the CEC following a writ petition by the SamajaParivarthan Samudaya on illegal mining while referring to the Lokayukta report.The CEC was asked to submit its report within sixweeks.toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com