SC panel called to visit mining affected areas and submit report in court

Samaj Parivartana Samudaya founder-president SR Hiremath at a press conference in Hubballi on Friday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Samaj Parivartana Samudaya (SPS) founder-president SR Hiremath has urged the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee and the Central Empowered Committee to visit the mining-affected areas in Ballari and Chitradurga districts and submit a report to the court before further hearing the PIL on Thursday next year.

Addressing a press conference in Hubballi on Firday, Mr. Hiremath said the SPS had written to Monitoring Committee Chairman Deepak Sarmah and members requesting their visit to Bheemasamudra in Chitradurga district and Narasapur in Sandur taluk in Ballari district to assess the impact of mining.

Referring to iron ore production exceeding 40 million tonnes in four districts of Ballari region, Mr. Hiremath compared it to the 2011 illegal mining crisis.

He said large-scale mining by corporate entities, including JSW Steel, Vedanta and the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), was now contributing to the problems faced by local communities.

Mr. Hiremath cited the November 3, 2024 report of the Supreme Court-appointed watchdog headed by B. Sudarshan Reddy, which recommended an overall mining cap of 20 million tonnes for four districts in the region.

He said the report also highlighted infrastructural deficiencies, including missing traffic lanes, and mentioned pollution levels exceeding permissible limits by more than 60 times.

He said residents of Bheemasamudra have been stopping trucks carrying iron ore for more than 60 days to protest against the adverse effects of mining.

Mr Hiremath said governments were taking decisions in favor of corporate mining companies. He urged the petitioner, the amicus curiae and the two committees to coordinate their efforts and submit an evidence-based assessment to the court.

He said the SPS has also filed a civil contempt petition against the Karnataka Chief Secretary and two senior state government officials, which is scheduled for hearing next Thursday.

The issue of the maximum permissible annual production from the mines is also expected to come before the court on the same day, he said.

Mr. Hiremath appealed to organizations and individuals to support the agitation of mining-affected groups, including Gani-badhit Parisara Punaschetan Horata Samiti, Jana Sangram Parishath and Janandolan Maha Maitri.

Published – 23 Oct 2026 19:03 IST