No direct evidence against politicians

BHUBANESWAR: The M B Shah Commission, probing illegal mining in the country, has found no “direct evidence” of the political class in the multi-crore mining scam. “We did not receive any evidence to castigate them (politicians),” Justice Shah told mediapersons after a public hearing here on Monday. “There was direct evidence against politicians in Karnataka. We have not received any evidence against politicians involved in the mining scam here,” he said.Asked if a scam of such magnitude is possible without the involvement of the political class, Justice Shah, however, said, “this is not possible.” But he averred that there ‘is’ enough evidence of the involvement of bureaucrats in the mining scam. To another query, he said the commission has already recommended to the Centre to ban export of minerals, particularly iron ore, as the natural resources are scarce. It is for the Central Government to take a decision, he added. Justice Shah attributed the increase in the illegal mining activities across the country to the boom in the export of iron ore. The prices of iron ore in the international market increased tremendously following a huge demand. About 92 per cent of iron ore is exported to China alone, he said. The judicial commission heard representatives of major political parties, NGOs, civil societies, trade unions and different stake-holders in the mining activities during the course of public hearing and received memoranda from them. As only two hours (3 pm to 5 pm) were fixed for public hearing, many people, who had come from across the State, did not get an opportunity to make their submission. Over 150 people had registered their names to participate in the public hearing, but the commission heard only 42 of them.  The people, waiting outside the State guesthouse conference hall, the venue of the public hearing, were seen shouting slogans against the commission for keeping the time too short. One of them demanded that the commission hear them on Tuesday.  Former Assembly speaker Sarat Kar and former deputy speaker Ramchandra Panda, along with many others, sat on dharna in protest.