Congress demands SC-monitored, CBI probe into Rajasthan mining scam

Jaipur: The Congress on Monday once again reiterated its demand for resignation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and holding a Supreme Court-monitored, Central Bureau of Investigation enquiry into alleged mining scam in the state.

"We want a SC monitored CBI enquiry into mining scam," said Congress' state chief Sachin Pilot at a press conference here.

"It is surprising and unfortunate that there is a continued silence from the state government side inspite of the Congress proving scam in mine allocation in Rajasthan," he said.

Pilot said that it is very worrying that no clarification has been issued by the Bharatiya Janata Party government on Rs.45,000 crore mine allocation scam so far. "Neither CM nor the mines minister have said anything on this issue," he said, calling it the "biggest scam" in the history of Rajasthan.

He contended that no officer can allocate 653 mines in the state without following transparent procedures and rules in 71 days unless he enjoys patronage of higher-ups in the government.

The mines have been given at will, Pilot alleged.

Earlier this month, Rajasthan's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) had arrested 6 people including a senior IAS official of the rank of principal secretary in an alleged mining corruption case.

"We expect the prime minister to do something on this matter. Otherwise, the Congress will look into all other options even legal ones and we again demand that for a fair probe the chief minister should resign and a SC-monitored CBI inquiry be ordered into it," Pilot said.