Mining scandal: Decoding the Lokayukta report

Close to 40 companies are named for illegal exports of iron ore in the Lokayukta report. As per the report, there were nearly 83 cases of violations by different companies. The report recommends recovering losses from exporters.

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, UV Singh, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, Lake Development Authority, speaks about the report and gives his outlook going forward. Also read: Adani, JSW held by collar with documented proof, says Lokayukta Below is the transcript of his interview with CNBC-TV18's Udayan Mukherjee and Mitali Mukherjee. Also watch the accompany videos. Q: Can you tell us about investigations that you did on Adani Enterprises? A: I think we have made it very clear in our report. The report speaks about it. I should not explain much more than what has been told in the report. Our report is quite reveling. It gives all the details. Q: But since you did the investigations, perhaps you would like to take us through what specifically you found by way of transgressions? A: I have submitted report to the Honourable Lokayukta and in turn it has been submitted to the state government. So, it is now in the domain of the state government. There is not need to elaborate it. We have written with sufficient document. Q: What is the specific accusation though or the set of accusations being made against Adani? Is it related to illegal mining, is it a case of exporting more than their quota or is it bribing government officials through the course of being the port operator? A: We found three-four types of illegalities. Bribery is one of them. There are others also like receiving unaccounted iron ore from various mines, or some traders and that was being getting exported. Q: Is it true that the Ministry of Environment and Forest has also asked for a similar exercise to be conducted in the Chitradurga area? A: Yes. I think the Supreme Court has accepted the request of the Central Empowered Committee, which is now looking for the cases in the Bellary sector of 99 mines. It has been decided that Chitradurga and Tumkur should also be taken care of. In Chitradurga and Tumkur district, there are around 40 mines. Same sort of illegalities are being noticed by us in those areas also. I think in this month there is likely to be similar exercise in these two districts also. Q: Could you elaborate on what kind of irregularities you observed in these two areas and by when your report be formally submitted? A: There are iron ore deposits in three main districts in Karnataka