Patil writes to CM on mining scams, BJP questions timing | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru/Raichur: Law minister HK Patil has written a detailed letter to chief minister Siddaramaiah expressing deep concern over the govt’s failure to act on thousands of illegal mining cases that allegedly led to a loss of Rs 1.5 lakh crore between 2007 and 2011.In a seven-page letter dated June 18, Patil criticised the “administrative apathy” in handling these cases and called for stern action against the culprits and recovery of lost public wealth. He reminded Siddaramaiah of the 320-km foot march to Ballari in 2010 against illegal mining when the Congress was in opposition. Patil, who headed the cabinet sub-committee on illegal mining during Siddaramaiah’s previous term (2013–18), noted in the letter that only 7.6% of more than 12,000 registered illegal mining cases have been investigated so far. “In just 2 per cent of these seven per cent, which means in only 0.2 per cent of the total number of cases, verdicts have come and cases have seen a conclusion,” he further added. In Raichur, Patil on Saturday said, “I have brought it to the notice of the CM about what has to be done. The letter is written in the interest of the state and its people. The chief minister has seen the letter and has taken the matter seriously.”He also warned that documents related to these illegalities should not be destroyed and called for vigilance. Suggesting fresh measures, he proposed appointing a recovery commissioner under the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, 1946, creation of a new SIT, and a special court for speedy trial.BJP MP Lahar Singh Siroya questioned the timing. “I am happy that law minister wrote a seven-page letter to CM, reminding him of the commitment he had made to recover the iron ore scam money… I wonder why Patil took so long to remind his CM on the unrecovered funds. Timing is everything in politics.”
