Bangalore, Aug 30 (DHNS): A day after police and Forest Department officials conducted a raid at his mining offices in Bellary, Rajya Sabha MP Anil Lad on Sunday accused the State government of trying to settle political scores with him.
Addressing a press conference in Bangalore, Lad said the raids were conducted at the behest of Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy, who is also the district in-charge minister of Bellary.
“We are not indulging in any illegal mining. It is nothing but a political vendetta against us. We are ready to face any kind of probe,” Lad said.
Lad said if even an iota of evidence was found that his company had been involved in illegal mining he was ready to face punishment.
Police and Forest Department officials on Saturday raided VSL Mines owned by Anil Lad and legislator Santosh Lad at Sandur near Bellary.
Lad alleged that forest officials of Bellary had been harassing him by delaying the issue of mining permits. They had even asked him to ‘cooperate’ with the Reddy brothers of Bellary if he required permits, Lad alleged.
He said the State Government’s decision to ban iron ore export was only an eye-wash. “Illegally mined ore is still being exported with the active involvement of the Bellary ministers. However, officials are doing nothing about it,” Lad charged.
Siddu meets Guv
In another development, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah met Governor H R Bhardwaj at Raj Bhavan on Sunday. Siddaramaiah termed the raid on VSL Mines as a political conspiracy against the Congress leaders in a bid to tarnish and malign their image.
In another part of the city, KPCC President R V Deshpande demanded that the government shift all mining and forest department officers from Bellary.