Karnataka Minister halts handing over of forest land in Sandur to KIOCL for mining

Bengaluru: Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Sunday said he has ordered his department not to hand over about 401 hectares of forest land in Ballari’s Sandur taluk to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd for mining.

The Minister cited violations by Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd (KIOCL) in the past, failure on its part to pay fine dues to the department, and the need for it to comply with certain conditions.