The Hindu : National : Left parties demand stoppage of iron ore export

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Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010
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National

Left parties demand stoppage of iron ore export

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Expressing shock at Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa rejecting demands for the removal from the Ministry of the Reddy brothers of Bellary, the Left parties on Monday demanded they step down, a CBI probe be ordered into illegal mining and that the Centre stop iron ore export.

The CPI (M) Polit Bureau said: “In cases where illegal mining activities are established, those mines should be nationalised. The Central government should stop the export of iron ore till a review is conducted of the present mining and minerals policy.”

The CPI Central Secretariat alleged that the Ministers were heading the mining mafia operating in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. “They have been misusing their position to amass wealth and use that ill-gotten wealth for buying up elected representatives and the bureaucracy, threatening to destabilise the State government if touched.”

Referring to the dharna inside the Assembly by the Opposition, the party mentioned the statements by the Governor and the Lokayukta report about the illegal mining and illegal storage of ore and its sudden disappearance through export, holding the Reddy brothers responsible.

It demanded that the private mining contracts and leases given to the Reddy brothers and their associates be cancelled and said mining could be entrusted to the National Mineral Development Corporation.

“We must conserve and use our ore for domestic production, and if necessary export steel rather than ore. A united and massive movement has to be organised against the decisions of the Karnataka government,” the statement said.

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