Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that criminal cases will be slapped against all ‘B’ and ‘C’ category mining companies (firms that have carried out illegal mining), besides imposing fine on them as per the recommendations of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court.
Replying to a query by the BJP floor leader Jagadish Shettar in the Assembly, the chief minister said the government has already handed over the cases of illegal iron ore export from various ports to the CBI. The Lokayukta police have been directed to probe the rest of the other findings of the Lokayukta’s report on illegal mining. The Lokayukta police have been given a free hand to conduct the probe. The police will book criminal cases, if necessary, during the course of investigation, he added.
“The government is not protecting anybody. Action will be taken without any hesitation. All necessary steps to implement the Lokayukta’s report on illegal mining are being taken. It was the previous BJP government that failed to take any action. The previous governments not only allowed illegal mining but tried to shield those involved in it,” he alleged when Shettar accused the government of showing reluctance to file criminal cases against ‘B and ‘C’ category mine owners.
Heated arguments ensued between Shettar and Siddaramaiah as both accused each other of trying to shield those involved in illegal mining. The former chief minister alleged that the Congress government was reluctant to act against illegal mining. The government started taking action only after the Supreme Court issued a direction in October this year, he added. Two days prior to the commencement of the legislature session, Siddaramaiah was forced to seek Santosh Lad’s resignation from the ministry following allegations of his involvement in illegal mining.
It is said that Lad was the working partner of VS Lad and Sons, which is one of the ‘C’ category mining firms. The CEC has categorised mining companies based on the extent of illegal mining carried out by them.
Illegal mining by ‘A’ category mines is negligible. ‘B’ category mines are those which account for violations up to 10 per cent and, those that have indulged in violations above 10 per cent fall under ‘C’ category.