Even as the Supreme Court allowed mining in category A and B mines in Karnataka, the Director of Mines and Geology of the state government recommended premature closure of 14 mining leases falling under these two categories.

In a letter to the Commerce and Industries ministry of the state government, the Director of Mines and Geology recommended premature closure of these mines noting that they too have committed ?serious irregularities?.

Mining leases were classified into categories A, B, and C by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) based on irregularities. Mines in which there were few or no irregularities were categorised as A and those with those with maximum illegalities were placed in category C.

The director urged the mining secretary of the state government to ?take action on the proposals without any further delay?.

Earlier, the Supreme Court allowed leases falling under these two categories to resume mining operations subject to statutory conditions in its April 18 order.

These 14 mines are part of the 31 leases that the director wants the government to terminate on the ground that they have indulged in irregularities.