Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Siddaramaiah, on Thursday alleged the State is losing revenues to the tune of Rs. 4,500 crore to Rs. 5,000 crore annually due to illegal mining.
In his preliminary remarks seeking to move an adjournment motion under Rule 60, he said, “This money which is supposed to go the State’s treasury is going to the pockets of many people who are looting the State’s mineral wealth”.
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.
Mr. 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 State government headed by BJP 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.
Mr. Siddaramaiah 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.
