CAG report on illegal mining gives Congress new ammo

The financial irregularities highlighted in recent CAG reports that were tabled in Rajasthan assembly have given fresh ammunition to opposition Congress to attack the Raje government. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (RPCC) chief Sachin Pilot said that the reports show how corruption was shielded by the government. 

Citing various paras reported by the CAG, the state Congress chief alleged that for the past four years rampant illegal mining has been going on in five districts (Jaipur, Udaipur, Alwar, Sikar and Rajsamand), which fall under the Aravali Mountain range. He called this a clear violation of the orders issued by the Supreme Court. 

This unlawful mining has rendered huge revenue loss to the state, Pilot said in his statement released on Monday. Talking further about irregularities in JVVNL (Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited) in the tune of Rs 300 crore, the Congress leader raised question on government’s  silence on it. 

It clearly shows that no monitoring exists in the BJP rule and the government has silently given its consent to acts which led to corruption. In the same manner, the negligence on the part of the government in controlling pollution levels has brought Jaipur among top 5 polluted cities across the globe, Pilot said.

“Due to the lackadaisical attitude of the government one third population of 7 crore in Rajasthan is affected by air pollution.  The Raje government had claimed to set up Mine and Mineral Development Fund for development in mining affected areas and people suffering of silicosis. But, the fund was used for other heads in the last budget instead for mining areas,” alleged Pilot quoting CAG reports.