Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SB)
Bangalore, Aug 1: Union minister of law and justice M Veerappa Moily on Saturday July 31 said that the state government despite powers to check illegal mining was reluctant to use them. The statement comes the day after the centre proposed to set up National Mineral Regulatory Authority to curb illegal mining.
He was speaking press conference after attending a conference here. He also said that the issue needs to be tackled by the state government and centre only could do very little about it.
All India Congress Committee spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi coming down heavily on the state, said that the decision to ban export of iron ore comes a little too late. In fact it is not ban on export, but temporary restrictions placed on transporting iron ores to the ports, he said. He also termed the state's refusal to hand over the probe into illegal mining to the CBI as “shameless”. Yeddyurappa should at least order an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court with a mandate to submit the report within three months,” he said.
Stating that crime is casteless, creedless and colour less, Singhvi said about the allegation of Congress leaders’ involvement in illegal mining that they should be punished severely.
Yeddyurappa Firm on Curbing Illegal Mining
On the other hand, a firm Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said that he will not allow export of iron ore from the state even if it means toppling of the government.
He was speaking to reporters after launching various development projects at Nagavalli in Tumkur on Saturday July 31. Yeddyurappa in a veiled attack said that some people have been up to exhausting the resources in the state and that he won’t allow them to succeed even if he loses power.
Support for Yeddy
Meanwhile, even as the Congress is crying foul over the state banning export of iron ore, union steel minister Virbhadra Singh has welcomed the measure stating that the ban augurs well for steel sector.
He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a hot steel rolling mill at Jindal Steel Works (JSW) in Toranagal, Bellary. “India is marching ahead in steel production and the ban will augment the output. The sector would generate more employment if all the states ban export of iron ore,” he observed and added that the centre too is planning to ban iron ore exports or restrict the quantum of export.
Yechury too Supports Ban on Ore Export
Communist Party of India (Marxist) politburo member and MP Sitaram Yechury here in Mysore demanded nationalisation of mining.
The party has pushed for a debate on the issue in both the houses of parliament. “The national wealth cannot be exploited like this. It is illegal. The government should ban export of mineral resources, he said.