Mandya: The State High Court on Wednesday January 13, directed State Government to decide about licenses of 17 stone quarries in Pandavapura Taluk of the District within next three weeks.
The HC directive was issued after hearing writ petition filed by 17 quarry owners near KRS reservoir over suspension of their quarry licenses by the State Government owing to threat to KRS. The divisional bench which heard the petition was informed by public prosecutor Mahendra that the State Government decided to conduct scientific study about threat to reservoir by mining.
Mandya MP Sumalatha raised voice against stone quarrying in Baby Betta near KRS. The issue had led to heated arguments between legislators of Mandya and MP Sumalatha. When officers conducted raid to quarries on August last 11 detonators and 20 giletin sticks were found which were being used illegally in Baby betta in Pandavapura Taluk.
District In-Charge Minister Narayana Gowda in the month of August itself instructed officers to stop illegal mining activities in Baby betta and opined that a total ban has to be put on stone quarrying in Baby betta as it affects the safety of the KRS reservoir.
