Latest news with #MinesandGeology
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Deputy Director of Mines and Geology Krishnaveni suspended
The State government has suspended Krishnaveni, Deputy Director of Department of Mines and Geology, Dakshina Kannada, who was arrested by Lokayukta police here on May 28, 2025 on the charge of accepting bribe of ₹50,000. In the order on June 21, Under Secretary (Mines-2), Commerce and Industries Department, H.M. Manjunath, said Krishnaveni was suspnded, pending departmental inquiry, with effect from May 28. The Lokayukta police said she was caught accepting bribe of ₹50,000 through department's driver Madhu. This was related to granting permission for levelling 0.35 acres of 1.39 acres of land in Ira village of Ullal Taluk. Krishanveni had asked R. Pradeep Kumar, the first division assistant in her office, to take ₹50,000 from the applicant for signing on the file. Apart from Krishnaveni, the Lokayukta police arrested Pradeep Kumar and Madhu. Krishaveni was released from Mangaluru prison on June 16. Director of Mines and Geology ordered suspension of Pradeep Kumar with effect from May 31. He wrote to the government for suspending Krishnaveni as she was in prison for more than 48 hours since her arrest. He quoted Rule 10(2) of Karnataka Civil Services (Classification Control and Appeal) Rules 1957, which states that an official will be deemed to be under suspension by the order of appointing authority with effect from the date for detention if the period of detention was beyond 48 hours. Meanwhile, Ms. Krishnaveni filed a writ petition seeking quashing of the case against her. She also sought an interim relief of stay of investigation of the case and direction to government not to make any alteration in the service conditions. The High Court on June 13 granted stay and directed government not to alter service conditions till next date of hearing. In the June 21 order, the Under Secretary said placing the officer under suspension was as per rules and it will not be alteration to service conditions.
Hans India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Famous regional delicacies are special attractions
Machilipatnam: As part of Masula Beach Festival-2025, currently underway at Manginapudi Beach in Machilipatnam, Minister for Excise, Mines and Geology, and Resources Kollu Ravindra on Friday inaugurated the Heli-rides alongside district Collector DK Balaji. Following the inauguration, they took a helicopter ride to inspect the beach's surrounding areas and assess any traffic issues for tourists visiting Masula Beach. Various types of food stalls, food courts, fast food outlets, and biryani stalls featuring renowned dishes from different regions have been set up at the Festival. A special stall has been dedicated for tasting Bandaru Laddu and Bandaru Halwa, which have brought unique recognition to Bandaru and are famous worldwide. The immense crowds visiting the beach festival are relishing the taste of Bandaru Laddu. Stalls have also been set up for Madugula Halwa from Anakapalli district and special dishes from the Godavari districts. Under the supervision of the District Department of Industries, stalls have been set up for imitation jewellery, micro-plating ornaments, beverages, fruit pulp, and coir cashew. Additionally, stalls have been arranged under the aegis of ALEAP (Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of AP), featuring special dishes from Godavari districts and lace sales. The District Handlooms and Textiles department has organised an exhibition and sale of famous handloom textiles from various parts of the state. There is a Special APCO textiles stall and Vijaya Krishna Milk Union Dairy Products. A stall set up by the District Legal Services Authority is providing information about free legal aid and raising awareness about various laws. Under the supervision of DRDA and MEPMA, products made by women's self-help groups are being exhibited and sold. The Giant Wheel and Columbus rides are standing out as special attractions among the amusement options.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Justice league: HC orders conditional release of granites seized in Nalgonda
HC orders conditional release of granites seized in Nalgonda Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court has directed the authorities to verify the nature of granite slabs seized by the assistant director of Mines and Geology, Nalgonda, and ordered conditional release of the vehicle and goods if they are found to be finished products. Justice Lakshman was hearing a writ petition filed by Kanumuri Sunadham of Palnadu district in Andhra Pradesh, seeking release of his lorry and the granite slabs it was transporting, which were seized by the respondent authorities citing lack of proof of royalty payment on the mineral used. According to the petitioner, the vehicle was carrying 4,950 sqft of polished granite slabs from Bhuvanagiri Enterprises in Markapur, Andhra Pradesh, to a buyer named Mahesh in Pune, Maharashtra. The goods were supported by a tax invoice dated March 20, 2025, and a valid e-way bill. Despite submitting the invoice and other necessary documents, including vehicle registration, permit, and insurance papers, the authorities detained the vehicle under a notice dated March 28, 2025, demanding payment of approximately Rs 1.76 lakh as penalty unless the source of procurement was disclosed. The petitioner argued that since the goods were finished products and not raw minerals, royalty payment documents were not applicable. He contended that seizing the vehicle despite producing all required GST-compliant documents was illegal and arbitrary.
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Upa Lokayukta uncovers major violations in Kolar stone quarries, orders case against 18 officials
BENGALURU: The recent visit of Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa to the villages in Tekal hobli of Malur taluk in Kolar district has revealed shocking findings about a dozen stone quarries and stone-crushing units excavating more than 300 ft deep, violating norms like exceeding permissible digging limits and lack of safety measures and border stones and fencing, among others. Justice Veerappa ordered a case against 18 officials of the Mines and Geology, Public Works, Revenue, Survey, Labour departments, Bescom, Regional Transport Officer, Environment Officer and others of the district and issued notice to them. Among other violations, a stone-crushing unit is running in 186, Makarahalli, even after the expiry of the lease in 2021. Justice Veerappa sought details like how many stone quarries and crushers are licensed and how many are operating without permits, illegal mining, and transport of murram and sand. Apart from this, he also directed them to furnish other details, such as whether a Mineral Dispatch Permit under Rule 42(1) of the KMCC Rules is issued and is being regularly supervised; if there are violations, how many cases are registered; whether all vehicles for the transport of minor minerals are registered for that purpose; and cases registered for non-installation of GPS and violation of prescribed routes for transport of minor minerals.
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana charges 6 officials over illegal Aravalli mining in Nuh
The Haryana government has formally acknowledged large-scale illegal mining in Rawa village of Nuh district, dating back to 2011. Acting on a geospatial probe, the state has charged six senior officials from the Department of Mines and Geology under Rule 7 of the Haryana Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules for their alleged role in the mining. An area where illegal mining used to take place at Panchgaon village in Nuh. (HT Archive) The officials named in the government communique include Assistant Mining Officer R.S. Thakran and Mining Officers Bhupender Singh, BD Yadav, Rajender Prasad, Anil Kumar, and Anil Atwal. The probe, ordered by Commissioner and Secretary, Mines and Geology, T.L. Satya Prakash, found that around 25 acres of Aravalli hill land in Haryana's revenue territory had been illegally mined by leaseholders from Rajasthan. The excavation spanned from November 2011 to January 2025, resulting in the loss of over 80 lakh tonnes of Aravalli stone. 'While taking strict cognisance of the illegal mining activities, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed that six officers of the Mining Department be charge-sheeted. He has also ordered action against staff from the Panchayat and Forest Departments found complicit in the case,' the state government said in a statement. The crackdown follows a complaint alleging excess extraction in Rawa village, located in Ferozepur Jhirka tehsil. Subsequent departmental investigations confirmed the illegal operations. Despite multiple attempts, Satya Prakash and director general of Mining, Pandurang did not respond to HT's request for a comment. Environmental activists have long flagged unchecked mining in fragile Aravalli zones like Nuh, warning of severe ecological consequences. A senior official, requesting anonymity, said the Rawa case could be 'just the tip of the iceberg', with more action expected in the coming weeks.
