Madhya Pradesh assembly Speaker asks government to act against mining inspector

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker today directed the state government to take action against a mining inspector for his alleged negligence, following opposition Congress' allegations that the BJP-led government was protecting illegal miners.

The matter of illegal mining at Susandra inter-state barrier in Betul district had been raised by Congress' Sukhdev Panse during the Question Hour today.

Opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh accused the BJP-led state government of safeguarding the interests of those engaged in illegal mining.

Following this, Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani directed the state government to take action against the mining inspector, who had been allegedly held prima facie responsible for the lapses.

The Speaker also asked the government to inform the House about it during the ongoing budget session.

During the discussion, Panse alleged that the Mumbai-based company GHV Private Limited has illegally mined 1,200 truck-loads of base material in connivance with the mining inspector for using it in the construction of a six-lane road.

The Congressman further alleged that even though the government had found the inspector prima facie responsible for the lapses, "no action had been taken against him and he was being protected in the case".

Responding to this, Mining minister Rajendra Shukla said,"In order to keep a check on the illegal mining activities in the state, a Task Force had been constituted in all the districts of the state."

Referring to the particular case, Shukla said the matter is pending in a local court and if anybody is found guilty in the matter, action would be taken against him after the probe.

Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh alleged that the situation is prevailing in the entire state, and is not only confined to Betul alone.

The government is protecting people engaged in illegal mining in the entire state resulting in incident like murder taking place in the state, but the Speaker did not allow him to raise the issue.