With the Karnataka government rejecting suggestions for a CBI probe, the Union mines ministry is looking at other means to crack down on the mining mafia in the state.
In the face of the Karnataka government's resistance to a CBI probe, the matter was referred to the Cabinet, and the issue was discussed in the Prime Minister's office, t
he mines minister, Mr B. K. Handique, said. One of his concerns was whether money from illegal mining was being diverted to terrorists.
Asserting the “crackdown” on illegal mining was on the top of his agenda, Mr Handique said that at present there were not enough legal provisions for central intervention and he would make attempts to incorporate provisions in the proposed Mining Act.
“There were discussions at the PMO level. It would be tracked down. If money is being diverted to terrorists, then steps will be taken to clamp down on such illegal practises. With NIA now, things are moving in the right direction.”
When asked to elaborate, Mr Hadique said, there was a provision in the law governing NIA and the home ministry will be tracking
the fund diversion. — PTI