House for ban on mineral export

BHUBANESWAR: The BJP on Thursday demanded a thorough probe into involvement of politicians in illegal mining trade. Referring to the interim report of Justice MB Shah Commission to the Centre as reported in a section of the media, Leader of the BJP Legislature Party KV Singhdeo dared the Government to come up with the names of  politicians involved in the illegal trade.Raising the issue during zero hour, Singhdeo asked the Government to pass a resolution in the Assembly supporting complete ban on export of iron ore and other finite minerals. “If Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is sincere about putting a ban on export of finite mineral resources, a resolution should be passed in the House expressing Odisha’s opposition to export of minerals particularly iron ore,” the BJP leader said.Writing letters to the Centre or making statements were not enough to stop export of minerals from the State, Singhdeo said adding, the Government must act by moving a motion in the House. Members, cutting across party lines, will support the motion, he assured.Minerals being finite resources, they should be utilised judicially. Though Justice Shah Commission has favoured a ban on export or iron ore, the Commerce Ministry has rejected the recommendation on technical grounds. The State should pass a resolution on the issue to give more weight to the recommendation of the commission, Singhdeo said.The BJP had been claiming that the multi-crore mining scam would not have been possible without the help of politicians and bureaucrats, Singhdeo said adding that the commission had indicated the involvement of the two categories of people in its interim report.Supporting Singhdeo, senior BJD leader Damodar Rout and independent member Pratap Sarangi demanded an impartial probe into the alleged involvement of politicians in illegal mining activities.“We are ok with the ban on export of mineral provided the Government uses them in the State,” Congress Chief Whip Prasad Harichandan told reporters outside the Assembly.Steel and Mines Minister Raghunath Mohanty said the Government had been demanding a ban on export of iron ore.