BJP, UPA responsible for illegal mining: CPI(M)

CPI(M) to hold rally in Bellary on August 3 against illegal mining

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has held the Bharatiya Janata Party Government in the State, as well as the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre responsible for the illegal mining in Karnataka.

Speaking to presspersons here on Thursday, G.N. Nagaraj and S. Prasannakumar, members of the State Secretariat of the party, said that both governments had shirked their responsibility to curb illegal mining and protect non-renewable mineral resources.

It was an “unpardonable crime” for the State Government to be involved in the mining scam, while claiming to be “clean” and pointing fingers at others to cover up its lapses, they said.

Mr. Nagaraj said: “Despite having power in its command, it is ridiculous that the Yeddyurappa Government exhibited its helplessness by not taking stringent action to prevent illegal mining.”

Mr. Prasannakumar blamed the UPA Government for not initiating steps to curb illegal mining.

According to him, the ports were under the control of the Union Government. There were several Acts that could have been invoked to prevent the problem, he added.

They expressed concern over the law and order situation in Bellary district.

In the war of words between the ruling and the Opposition, the issue of protecting the non-renewable mineral wealth of the State was getting sidelined, they pointed out. In order to voice their protest in this regard, the CPI(M) had planned to organise a rally in Bellary on August 3, they said. State-level leaders of the party and some Polit Bureau members were expected to attend.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)