Belikere Iron Ore Transportation `Century’s biggest scam’ Dubs Congress
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, June 29: The illegal mining and transportation of 50 lakh tonnes of iron ore worth Rs 3,000 crore from Bellary district to Belikere port in Uttara Kannada, was dubbed by the Congress party leaders, as the ``century’s biggest scam.’’

Congress opposition party leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah, who sought to move an adjournment motion on the issue in the state assembly on Tuesday, alleged that iron ore was illegal mined in Bellary, Hospet and Sandur without valid permits or payment of any royalty as well as forest development tax and value added tax to the state exchequer worth several crores of rupees.

Lambasting the B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP government for its total failure to curb illegal mining and other irregularies as well as being responsible for creating a situation forcing a man of impeccable honesty and probity like the state Lok Ayukta, Justice N Santhosh Hegde, the Congress leader said: ``Illegal mining is the state’s biggest scam and the daylight robbery.’’

Despite a criminal case against illegal storing of iron ore at the Belikere port, the iron ore was shipped out from the port. The cost of iron ore per tonne was $ 120. Though there are seven check posts from Bellary to Karwar, no one had sized the illegally transport ore, he said accusing the Yeddyurappa regime for allowing the state’s valuable mineral resources to be looted by the Bellary mining lords in order to ensure that the chief minister safeguarded his gaddi.

Both Forest and Mines and Geology portfolios were directly handled by the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Illegally stored iron ore was seized following the Lokayukta’s intervention, he said.

Narrating the events that led to the resignation of Justice Santosh Hegde, Siddaramaiah said, ``the resignation is a slap on the institution. It is murder of democracy and constitutional breakdown.”

Lack of cooperation to the Lokayukta, suspension of honest officers involved in various probe cases, reinstatement of suspended “corrupt”officials hurt Justice Hegde, Siddaramaiah said.

The Congress leader, who called on Justice Hegde on Monday, said the resignation of the Lokayukta caused a major embarrassment to the ruling party.

The Lokayukta himself said that lack of cooperation and “careless attitude of the Government” forced him to quit, Siddaramaiah said pointing out that the BJP mentioned in its poll manifesto that it would grant suo motu powers to the Lokayukta if it come to power.

But after it came to power in 2008, it betrayed the people by not implementing its assurance, he said. Siddaramaiah said showing disrespect to the Lokayukta would not bring any laurels to the ruling BJP.

“We crated the Lokayuktan institution and now we are showing disrespect to it,” he said and
urged the Chief Minister to ask Justice Hegde to continue in the office.

He pointed  out that  Justice Rama Jois, MP, and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram too
requested Justice Hegde to withdraw the resignation, the Congress leader said and sought discussion of the issue under the adjournment motion.

When Speaker K G Bopaiah denied permission to make preliminary submission to JD(S) floor leader H D Revanna, JD (S) members staged a dhana in the well of the house before the Chair.

However, when Siddaramiah made request to the Speaker, JD(S) leader Revanna was allowed to speak on the issue.

Meanwhile, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar, who displaying the party’s manifesto, said the party had only promised of strengthening the hands of the Lokayukta to root out corruption in the administration.

The minister said said the issue raised by the Opposition was not suitable for discussion under the adjournment motion and appealed to the Speaker to allow discussion under Rule 69 of the House.

Immediately, the Speaker rejected the Opposition’s plea and asked Siddaramaiah to speak on the issue under Rule 69 of the House.

When Congress and JD (S) members opposed the discussion under Rule 69, the Speaker adjourned the House for lunch. The discussion remained inconclusive.