How effective will be the state government order banning ore export from ten ports
in Karnataka excluding Mangalore ? What purpose will be achieved by doing so ?
As if in response to the unanimous demand of the opposition parties to take action
against illegal mining, the government, in a delayed move by issuing an order banning
ore export from ten ports, has surprised everyone.
Of the ten ports which have been restricted from exporting ore, only Karwar and Belekeri
ports were exporting ore. That too Karwar port had virtually suspended ore export since
the past one year. Even the Belekeri port was closed for ore traffic following a Lokayukta
order after the detection of the export of huge quantity of seized ore.
In reality, the Uttara Kannada District Administration had virtually imposed a ban on
ore traffic since the past one year. ( still ore transportation and export had continued).
Now, with the government banning ore export, there still remains a doubt if it would
make any difference.
The fact remains that ore was being exported from Mangalore Port in large quantities
since long. At least 70 per cent of the total ore exported from Karnataka was from
Mangalore even during the times of Dharam Singh and Kumaraswamy, while the rest of
the ore were exported from Belekeri and Karwar ports.
Now with Mangalore exempted from the ban, the question arises as to what purpose it
would serve.
Though the state government may argue that it had no authority to ban ore export from
Mangalore port which is under the administration of the Centre, it is not entirely true.
Both the Union and state governments have control over all ports. That there is no ban
on ore export from Mangalore, is only tantamount to the fact that there is no ban on ore
export in the state.
Henceforth, the ore lorries which used to rush towards Belekeri and Karwar would head
towards Mangalore and would once again take its toll on the roads of the district.
If the State Government has the courage, let it ban ore export even from Mangalore port.
If the government does not take such action, then people will have to conclude that there
is no sincerity in the government order and that it is meant only for record purposes.
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