Daijiworld Media Network – Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Apr 19: Leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah, urged Chief Minister (CM), B S Yeddyurappa, to give his nod for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into illegal mining at least now, considering that the Central Empowers Committee (CEC) has confirmed that illegal mining has been going on in the state.

He was speaking to the media persons after taking part in a function organized here on Monday April 18 in connection with the taking over charge by the president of Kodagu district Congress Committee’s women’s wing.  “In the past, the leaders were claiming that mining was permitted by those in power in the past. Let CBI investigation bring out the real culprits. Unless CBI takes up the issue, it will be difficult to punish the guilty,” he observed.

Siddaramaih said that about 3,50,00,000 tonnes of iron ore had been exported from the state without any permission, and that this had caused a loss of Rs 15,000 crore to the exchequer. He accused Yeddyurappa of shifting his stand on the issue frequently, by admitting illegal mining in some forums, and denying existence of illegal mining in the state at other places. He felt that these wavering stands of the CM have ensured that his public utterances are not taken seriously by anyone.

“The CM agreed publicly he habitually doles out empty promises, even calling himself a ‘Bogale Dasaiah’. He also claims that the state’s coffers are full. If this was true, why no houses under Ashraya scheme were sanctioned? Why below poverty line ration cards have not been distributed? Why has the government not distributed 25 kgs of rice to poor people? Why is the state reeling under power shortage,” he questioned. He ridiculed the state government by saying that it does not have money even for repairing of bore wells.

Saying that there is a vast gap between Yeddyurappa’s tall claims and the ground reality, Siddaramaiah said that law and order, administration, and development have come to a standstill, and that the state is facing insolvency. He blamed the CM of not providing satisfactory answers for questions raised in the house.