Bangalore: Leader of Opposition in the
Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Siddaramaiah, today alleged
the state is losing revenues to the tune of Rs 4,500 crore to
Rs 5,000 crore annually due to illegal mining.
"This money which is supposed to go the state's treasury is
going to pockets of many people who are looting the state's
mineral wealth", he said, in his preliminary remarks seeking
to move an adjournment motion under Rule 60.
The State government had failed to protect the mineral
resources, he said, adding, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa
has expressed his helplessness in curbing illegal mining on a
number of occasions.
Yeddyurappa said the Government was ready for a half-a-day
or a day-long discussion on the issue and appealed to Speaker
K G Bopaiah to fix time in this regard.
"The BJP government headed by Yeddyurappa is the first
government in the country which has taken a stern view on
mining", he said, adding, the Government would not allow
illegal mining.
Siddaramaiah (Cong) sought a CBI investigation into the
illegal mining. "Even today, illegal mining is going on".
The Speaker rejected permission for the adjournment motion
but converted it to be discussed as a subject of public
importance under Rule 69.
The issue of illegal mining is expected to be discussed in
the House tomorrow.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 16:16