Congress raises Karnataka illegal mining issue in Lok Sabha

The Congress today raised in the Lok Sabha the issue of illegal mining of iron ore in the BJP-ruled Karnataka and alleged the involvement of two ministers whom it wanted to be sacked.

It also demanded that the BJP high command should ask the state government to initiate a transparent probe into the matter for the safeguard of natural resources.

Participating in a debate on the demand for grants of the ministry of mines, Sanjay Nirupam (INC) said "the illegal mining is a very serious issue and the BJP high command should ask the state government to conduct a transparent inquiry into it."

Emphasising the need for sacking of the two ministers, he said "you could not remove the chief minister. But if you want to uproot corruption in this country then at least remove the two ministers."

Nirupam said "the two ministers have said openly that they would continue this lot in the state till their Didi (sister) becomes the prime minister. Both of them have not appeared before the court despite issuance of nine non-bailable warrants against them."

"These people who see a scam in every issue raised in this house could not see the matter of illegal mining in their own party-ruled state," he said.

Nirupam asked the BJP to act swiftly on the issue to reiterate its commitment that it wanted a corruption-free country.