BJP MLC Lahar Singh tells CM to recover funds from illegal mining before seeking funds from Centre for guarantee schemes, drought relief in Karnataka

Lahar Singh questions delay in Siddaramaiah’s response to H.K. Patil Sub-Committee’s findings, which estimated ₹1.43 lakh crore as the amount due to Karnataka government from illegal mining

A file photo of a mine. H.K. Patil Sub-Committee estimates that Karnataka government is owed ₹1.43 lakh crore by persons and companies engaged in illegal mining. | Photo Credit: Bhagya Prakash K

BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to prioritise the recovery of funds from illegal mining, as highlighted in the H.K. Patil Sub-Committee report. 

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Lahar Singh questioned the delay in Mr. Siddaramaiah’s response to the H.K. Patil Sub-Committee’s findings, which estimated dues towards government from illegal mining at ₹1.43 lakh crore. He contended that the Congress government should utilise these funds for State development projects before pursuing any protests in New Delhi against the Centre. 

Mr. Singh reminded the Congress party and the Chief Minister about their commitment to recovering these dues, as promised 10 years ago in 2013. If these funds are recovered, government would have sufficient funds to implement its guarantee schemes, he maintained. 

“Recover these dues which you promised, and then I will urge BJP MLAs to join you to seek extra funds from the Centre,” Mr. Singh assured the Chief Minister.