Thursday, November 24 2005 17:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: South African diamond major, De Beers India Private Limited has applied for two reconnaissance permits (RPs) in parts of Central Karnataka including Tumkur, Chitradurga, Raichur, Gulbarga and Dharwad, a top official of mines and geology department said.

"The department has sent its recommendations in this regard to the Centre which has cleared the proposal", Dr T N Venugopal, Joint Director Mines and Geology, told sources.

However, it has asked the Karnataka government to grant the RPs verifying whether these conform to the Mines and Minerals Development Regulatory Act (MMDRA), 1957, and Mineral Concession (MC) rules, 1960, and issue the notifications accordingly, he said.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to notify the RP areas surrendered by 12 RP holders including De Beers, Rio Tinto (diamond) and Geo Mysore Pvt Ltd (Gold), for re-grant, Venugopal said.