The State Cabinet on Thursday allowed stone quarrying within 100 metres of forest borders.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said different interpretations of Section 42(2) of the Karnataka Forest Act made the Mines and Geology department issue circulars banning stone quarrying within 100 metres of forest borders. A large number of crushing units had consequently shut shop, resulting in a severe shortage of jelly stones, he said.