Opposition Congress in Karnataka today charged the Yeddyurappa-led BJP Government with protecting those including ministers allegedly involved in illegal mining.
The Supreme Court’s recent order restraining 19 mining companies in Karnataka from carrying out mining operations for violating rules showed that the government had failed to take action against those indulging in illegal mining, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwara alleged.
“By doing so, the BJP government is indirectly protecting and supporting those who are involved in illegal mining including its ministers, the Bellary brothers (G Janardhana Reddy and Karunakara Reddy)”, he told reporters here.
Mr. Parameshwara criticised the State government for its failure to take any action against “those whose names were mentioned by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) in its report on illegal mining in the State“.
He asserted that none from Congress were involved in illegal mining.
Acting on the two reports of CEC which found large scale illegal mining in Bellary, the Supreme Court on April 29 restrained 19 mining lease holders in Bellary-Hospet region from carrying out any mining activities, including transportation of extracted iron ores, till further orders.
