Karnataka govt mulling to move SC over mining ban

The Karnataka government is planning to approach the Supreme Court seeking remedy to problems arising out of ban on iron ore mining in the state, chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Tuesday.

The Karnataka government is planning to approach the Supreme Court seeking remedy to problems arising out of ban on iron ore mining in the state, chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Tuesday.

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"We are seeking legal experts' advice on the issue," he told reporters on the sidelines of the National Executive meeting of FICCI here.

He, however, declined to reveal the timeframe for moving the apex court saying "it will take some time to do so".

FICCI has been raising concerns that the mining ban in the state would lead to closure of several steel mills, including those in the SME sector.

Gowda said the apex court was aware of the problems faced by the local steel manufacturers and could soon take a decision.

"As you see the order of the Supreme Court, it is going to consider all these issues," Gowda said.

The government exchequer is losing Rs 4,000 crore and nearly 1.5 lakh people have lost their jobs due to mining ban in Karnataka, he added.