BJP slams Shivpal for 'no illegal mining' statement

BJP today hit out at Uttar Pradesh minister Shivpal Yadav for his claim that no illegal mining was taking place in the state, and asked the state government to constitute an all-party committee to look into the matter.
Party spokesperson Chandra Mohan said Shivpal's statement is far from the truth, and demanded to bring a White Paper on the issue in the state Assembly.
"All are aware that illegal mining is going on along all the rivers in the state under the patronage of ruling party members.
"The media is continuously highlighting how illegal mining is going on in the state and the government is acting against honest officers and employees trying to check it," Mohan said.

In Bahraich yesterday, PWD Minister Shivpal had claimed that no illegal mining was taking place in the state.
"I have personally visited many places, and have not found illegal mining taking place," Shivpal had said.

The minister had also said that the issue of suspension of IAS officer Durga Shakti Nagpal was a "minor" one, and it was being blown out of proportion.
Mohan said if the ministers and the head of the government earnestly want to work for the state, they should revoke the suspension of Nagpal at the earliest.
He claimed that illegal mining is a major cause of "destruction" in the Bundelkhand region, and alleged that the "lootraj" under BSP rule has now turned into "jungle raj".