Date:18/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/18/stories/2006111808910400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

New permit rules for mining soon

Raghava M.

BANGALORE: The Forest Department is thinking of amending forest rules that would exclusively apply to transportation of iron ore, the misuse of which was causing concern.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R.M. Ray told The Hindu that the rules would clearly define "iron ore".

Until now, the department had been issuing permits for the transportation of "forest produce", which included iron ore.

The new definition would deal with iron ore separately and include various types of minerals, he said.

The change in the rules would result in the issue of new-look permits, which would be tamper proof.

They would have a hologram stating the type of iron ore, the quantity to be transported and the period of permit. The issuance of these permits would be computerised.