KMERC Managing Director Sanjay S. Bijjur presiding over a review meeting at NMDC training hall in Donimalai, Sandur taluk of Ballari district on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Active involvement of officials is essential for holistic development and restoration of mining-affected areas, said Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation (KMERC) CEO Sanjay S. Bijjur.
He presided over a review meeting at the NMDC training hall in Donimalai, Sandur taluk on Tuesday to review the progress of development work being carried out under the Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) plan for the mining affected regions.
On the direction of the state government, Mr. Bijjur said that a detailed report on the progress of work carried out in the mining-affected villages must be submitted to the apex court every six months. He therefore stressed that the officials must show diligence and ensure that the projects are executed without delay.
Urging officials to personally visit mining-affected villages to assess service gaps there, he said local authorities must carry out thorough inspections of the condition of rural roads.
Instead of submitting multiple proposals for each stretch, a consolidated proposal covering priority roads should be sent, he told officials of the public works department.
Weekly overview
Mr. Bijjur directed that matters relating to land acquisition for drinking water supply, sanitation and road development works in Sandur and Ballari taluks must be reviewed every Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner.
“Issues related to housing projects should be reviewed in meetings presided over by the Zilla Panchayat CEO. Proposals aimed at improving the livelihood of people in mining-affected areas must be submitted after careful consideration. Several departmental proposals are still pending and officials should submit them as soon as possible. If any modifications, additions or deletions are required, any modifications, suggestions or deletions in the already revised report must to be submitted after the approval of the details of the project,” he said.
He added that approvals have already been given for repairs in the hostels belonging to Social Welfare, Backward Classes Welfare, Minorities Welfare and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Departments. The officials concerned have to prepare detailed plans and submit them to the public works department to start the work, he added.
Mr. Bijjur also directed the Deputy Director of Public Instruction and Mid Day Meals Officers to strengthen monitoring mechanisms to ensure proper implementation of supplementary nutrition distribution to students in government primary and secondary schools in mining-affected taluks.
He ordered that notices be issued to the AYUSH officials and others who remained absent from the meeting.
KMERC Managing Director Sanjay S. Bijjur on Tuesday inspected the sprouted pulses distribution program of KMERC for children at Government High School in Donimalai, Sandur taluk of Ballari district. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Distribution of impulses
Mr. Bijjur also visited Government High School, Donimalai to inspect the implementation of the Usuli Kaalu (sprouted pulses) distribution program being carried out under the KMERC Comprehensive Environmental Plan for Mining Zone (CEPMIZ) project.
Interacting with the students, he asked whether the prescribed quantity was being served and whether the pulses were palatable and advised them to inform the teacher in case of any shortage.
He instructed the kitchen staff to observe proper hygiene, use quality sprouted pulses and cook them thoroughly before distribution.
Mr. Bijjur also joined the Usuli Kaal tasting.
Stadium inspection
Mr. Bijjur also inspected the Sandur Taluk Stadium where he noted the absence of a proper retaining wall, insufficient gallery space behind the seating area and lack of toilets, washrooms and office facilities.
He tasked officials to submit proposals to finance the required works and stressed the need to develop infrastructure for both indoor and outdoor sports to enhance the stadium’s utility and revenue.
Responding to the concerns raised by Zilla Panchayat CEO Mohammad Haris Sumair regarding the shortage of staff for the maintenance of the stadium and hostel, Mr. Bijjur said proposals to outsource manpower would be considered.
He also suggested identifying a suitable location in Sandur for setting up an auto cluster and advised the municipality officials to raise awareness about reducing plastic consumption.
Deputy Commissioner Nagendra Prasad K., Mr. Sumair, Deputy Director of Mines and Geology Dwitiya and other district and taluk level officials of Sandur were present.
Published – 26 Nov 2025 18:48 IST
