Bengaluru: With complaints of illegal mining in the vicinity of KRS Dam galore, Minister for Mines and Geology Murugesh Nirani will be visiting mining and quarrying areas in Mandya district this week.

Speaking to press persons at his residence here yesterday, Nirani said that he will take the Mandya MP, Legislators, media persons and other people representatives along with him for the inspection.

Contending that disciplinary action will be initiated against any official who is found guilty of lapses or irregularities during the inspection, Nirani said that errant officials will not be let scot free for any reason.

Noting that he had visited several mining and quarrying areas in the district on Feb. 22 along with the MP, other people representatives and officials, he asserted that no illegal mining activity in the vicinity of KRS dam for the past three months, has come to his notice. However, the Government will certainly take action if any illegal mining is found, he said.

Asserting that the Department has stopped a total of 38 mining and quarrying units in Mandya district, Nirani said that it has been decided to carrying out blasting using explosives around KRS Dam on an experimental basis by Pune-based Energy and Water Research Institute of the Union Government. Such a blasting will give vital inputs to the Government on the quantity of explosives that can be used for quarrying, he asserted.

Stating that Mandya MP Sumalatha has expressed concern over illegal mining in Mandya district, Nirani reiterated that the Government will not allow illegal mining for any reason.