Cong initiated fight against illegal export of seized iron ore, says Karnataka Minister H K Patil
Bengaluru (PTI): Seeking to defend the ruling Congress following a Court sentencing a party MLA in a case relating to theft and export of seized iron ore, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil on Monday said it was his party that initiated the fight in the case against the "loot" and those involved.
He also hit back at the opposition BJP alleging that the theft of "lakhs of crores of rupees" worth state's mineral resources had happened during its tenure.
"During the BJP government, the country's biggest loot of lakhs of crore public and government assets had happened, regarding it, the Court a couple of days ago gave life sentences to few people, and a Rs 44 crore fine was imposed. The loot had happened during the BJP government to cover up that the party leaders are coming forward and making statements (targeting ruling Congress)," Patil said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said it cannot be said that there was no role of the then BJP government in the theft of lakhs of crore worth state's mineral resources that were seized and kept, because it was exported.
"Six lakh tonnes mineral resources were exported....the then Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde had unearthed the scam and had submitted the report, time has come to ensure there is a logical end to his report," he said.
The Minister also pointed out the Congress' padayatra (foot march) from Bengaluru to Ballari under Siddaramaiah's leadership in raising the issue at the time and showing "political will" in fighting against the "large scale loot."
A court here on Saturday sentenced Congress MLA Satish Sail and six others to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in each of the six cases related to the theft and export of seized iron ore, during 2009-2010, from the Belekeri port in Uttara Kannada district
The court had also slapped a cumulative fine of Rs 44. 11 crore on all the seven accused.
Reacting to BJP's allegations that the "iron ore thieves" were in the Congress, Patil said "wherever the thieves are nabbing them, punishing them is the duty of the courts and the constitution."
Noting that Siddaramaiah -- who became Chief Minister for the first time in 2013 after Congress came to power -- had formed a cabinet sub-committee, following the then Lokayukta Santosh Hegde's report, he said, "the sub-committee has made several recommendations regarding what has to be done regarding irregularities worth lakhs of crore . The court order is in a way giving a logical response to those fighting to save the state's resources."
Asked as to whether the government is not embarrassed by the court verdict in the case in which one of the ruling party's MLAs was found guilty, Patil said: "this is the fight we initiated, to stop the loot and to punish looters."
On whether Sail will be disqualified, he said: "will speak about it later."
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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
