Action taken against 324 of over 1,200 illegal quarrying sites in Karnataka: Minister

Minister of Mines and Geology Murugesh Nirani on Tuesday admitted that there was corruption in his department and said, “Wherever I go, people complain about having to pay bribes to department officials.” He told the Legislative Council that this was raised even during a mine owners’ association meeting. As per the government’s answer, there were over 1,200 illegal quarrying sites and action had been initiated against 324 owners. Two officials in Bagalkot have been kept under suspension following complaints, he added.