SHRC cracks down on manganese ore company

 The Karnataka State Human Rights Commission has ordered an immediate halt to the transportation of manganese ore through Belekeri village in Uttara Kannada district following a complaint by the local gram panchayat.

After hearing a complaint lodged by the president and vice-president of Belekeri gram panchayat against the “illegal” transportation of manganese ore through their village to the adjoining Belekeri port, the commission in its order dated July 30, 2009, has urged the Government to initiate stringent action against the manganese ore company and the conniving Government officials for gross violation of rules.

Also, the Commission has expressed shock over the failure of the Government apparatus to rein in the manganese ore company that had been causing environmental degradation in the area and exposing the residents to hardships.

The commission felt that the company had been cocking a snook at the Government authorities in the region by transporting truckloads of ore without either obtaining the necessary permissions from the local authorities or pay the applicable taxes.

The Belekere gram panchayat lodged a complaint with the commission on January 31, 2009, that the manganese ore company was transporting large quantities of ore through to the Belekere port since the last five years without obtaining any license from the gram panchayat.

The company, which owns several commercial buildings and equipment, had not bothered to obtain clearances from the gram panchayat even though notices in the regard were sent.

The gram panchayat had also alleged that a drinking water pipeline had been damaged on account of the transportation of manganese ore by the company.

The residents of the region are suffering from air pollution, the gram panchayat said in the complaint.

After receiving the complaint, the State human rights commission sought a report from the Deputy Commissioner of Uttar Kannada district.

The report submitted by the district administration said the company owed the local authorities tax dues amounting to Rs 10.08 lakh from 2004-05 to 2008-09, besides the Rs. 57,519 towards repair of the pipeline damaged by the company.

The report also said the residents of the area, particularly the children, were put to inconvenience due to the frequent movement of heavy transport vehicles.

The export and stocking of the ore in the port area was causing environmental degradation and air pollution, besides polluting the waters and posing a threat to fishermen’s livelihood.

The commission, in its order, also sought to know why the district administration failed to take action against the manganese ore company.

The commission, which has sought an action taken report from the district administration, has also directed the Government to ensure that the manganese ore company pays its dues to the Belekeri gram panchayat.

The authorities were directed to take steps to prevent the exploitation of the local population by the continued activities of the manganese ore company.