The Karnataka Chief Minister has convened a meeting of senior bureaucrats and officials of the State on August 23 to discuss the Supreme Court's notice to the State Government on suspending mining activities in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of the State.

Speaking to presspersons during his visit to Mangalore on Saturday, the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, said that he has convened a meeting of the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries and officials of the departments concerned, and the Law Department to discuss the issues raised in the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report to the Supreme Court.

It may be mentioned here that the CEC of the Supreme Court had recommended suspension of iron ore mining in Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of the State. Based on the CEC's recommendation, the Supreme Court on Friday had issued a notice to the State Government. The Supreme Court will hear the matter on August 26.

To a query on the illegal mining report by the Karnataka Lokayukta, he said that a panel headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the State will suggest actions to be taken on the report in two months.

Mr Gowda said that he will conduct videoconferencing with the Deputy Commissioners of the districts next week. The tahasildars of each taluk in the State will be invited for the same . Following this, he will conduct videoconferencing with chief executive officers of the zilla panchayats in the State.

The Chief Minister said that he reviewed the performance of 20 departments in the State last week. Principal Secretaries and officials concerned of the departments attended the meeting.

Mr Gowda said that he will tour Bijapur and Bagalkot districts on August 22.

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