Bengaluru: Days after a fatal quarry accident in Bengaluru Rural raised questions over mine safety, Karnataka govt announced a twin-pronged strategy — tightening safety oversight while driving up revenue collection. Every district geologist will now be assigned performance targets as the mines and geology department aims to mobilise a record Rs 11,000-crore revenue this year.The move comes shortly after govt initiated a major restructuring of the department. The new revenue target represents a nearly 70% jump over the Rs 6,500 crore collected in the previous financial year, signalling a sharper focus on plugging leakages, strengthening field-level monitoring and improving compliance with mining regulations.Reviewing the department’s performance on Friday, mines and geology secretary Rohini Sindhuri directed officials to adopt a target-driven approach, with every district geologist being assessed on revenue mobilisation, inspections and overall field performance. Monthly district-wise review meetings will begin from Aguto monitor progress and fix accountability.Apart from the annual revenue target, the department has also set itself the goal of mobilising ₹2,000 crore through the one-time settlement (OTS) scheme over the next six months by clearing long-pending cases. Officials have been asked to actively pursue recoveries and ensure the target is met within the stipulated timeframe.The department has also completed a major administrative reshuffle, with 98% of transferred officers already reporting to their new postings. Officials said the exercise is expected to improve transparency, accountability and administrative efficiency.For citizens living around mining zones, the renewed focus is expected to translate into stricter inspections and stronger enforcement of safety norms. Referring to the recent fatal stone quarry accident in Bengaluru Rural district, Sindhuri instructed officials to intensify inspections, closely monitor worker safety and ensure strict compliance with statutory safety standards.“There should be absolutely no compromise on safety,” she told officials, directing them to maintain continuous vigilance at mining sites and prevent a recurrence of such incidents. The govt said the twin focus would be on increasing legitimate revenue for the state while ensuring safer and more accountable mining operations through stronger field monitoring and enforcement.
