Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Mar 9: M C Nanaiah of the JD(S) , participating in a discussion on illegal mining initiated by the leader of the opposition in the legislative council, Motamma of the Congress, commented that her party had lost the moral right to speak about illegal mining in the state.

“Your government is in power at the centre. Why is it not directing the mines in the state to suspend operations till the investigations are completed and a final report thereof is submitted?” he questioned Motamma.

Both the JDS and the Congress legislators demanded for handing over the issue of illegal mining activities in the state to the scrutiny of the Central Bureau of Investigation, during the discussion on a call attention motion moved by the legislators of both the parties. Nanaiah said that the forest wealth is being plundered in the name of mining, and those who run the mines have the clout to control the government and the Chief Minister. He said that Yeddyurappa can become a hero from being a villain, if he asserts himself and stops illegal mining in the state. He also accused the government of recently permitting mining activities in six additional forest regions.

K C Kondaiah of the Congress accused the forest officials in Bellary of facilitating reckless loot of forest wealth, and accused the government of failing to keep mining activities in Bellary under check.

Council chairman, Veerana Mattikatti, closed the discussions by saying that the government will provide its replies to the discussions on Tuesday.