B’gavi dist administration plans crackdown on illegal laterite mining on govt land

Belagavi: The district administration is preparing to take action against suspected illegal laterite mining on govt land in Belagundi village of Belagavi taluk, with a joint raid expected to be carried out soon.According to official sources, authorities are planning a coordinated operation at the site, followed by legal proceedings in accordance with due process. The issue has reportedly been brought to the notice of district in-charge minister Satish Jarkiholi, who is said to have approved action against those involved.The planned crackdown comes after a complaint by whistleblower Sujit Mulgund to the department of mines and geology. The complaint alleges that illegal mining activities have been ongoing for nearly two years on Survey No. 285, a 14-acre govt land in Belagundi village.It further claims that high-grade laterite, widely used in paint manufacturing, has been extracted and transported from the site without proper authorisation. Despite alleged awareness, departments such as revenue, forest, mines and geology, police, and the Pollution Control Board are said to have failed to intervene.Sources indicate that several officials, including the Khanapur tahsildar, a mines and geology department geologist, the assistant conservator of forests, the local police inspector, and Pollution Control Board personnel, may face questioning over their roles or inaction.The land falls under the Uchagaon revenue circle of Khanapur taluk. The incident has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the district-level task force committee, led by the deputy commissioner, which is responsible for protecting natural resources and govt property.