The opposition Congress and JDS on Monday demanded that the Karnataka government hand over the 'multi-crore illegal mining scam' to the CBI for a probe, amid heated exchanges with ruling party members.
Making a preliminary submission, seeking to move an adjournment motion in the legislative assembly, Deputy leader of the Opposition Congress, T B Jayachandra, alleged that illegal mining has led to the exchequer losing thousands of crores of Rupees in revenue and referred to the Lokayukta report on the issue.
Transport Minister R Ashok said the BJP governnment has been in office just for seven months and demanded to know what the government's role was in the mining scam. He pointed out that the B S Yeddyurappa government has not issued a single mining licence after coming to power.
C S Nadagouda (Congress) said members have to show 'political will' to debate the matter and send a message to people that they are serious about dealing with illegal mining
"The government should see that he (whoever indulged in illegal mining) is hanged", Nadagouda said and dubbed such elements as "anti nationals".
{{/usCountry}}"The government should see that he (whoever indulged in illegal mining) is hanged", Nadagouda said and dubbed such elements as "anti nationals".
{{/usCountry}}Law Minister S Suresh Kumar said the issue cannot be taken up in the form of an adjournment motion as Jayachandra has based his arguments on the Lokayukta report. "There should be discussions. The government is open to discuss issues in any other form", he said,adding the truth has to come out in terms of who issued mining licences and those involved in the scam.
Speaker Jagadish Shettar rejected the plea to take it up as an adjournment motion, but allowed a discussion on the subject under Rule 69 on Tuesday.
Jayachandra and JDS member H C Balakrishna demanded that the scam be handed over to CBI for a probe.