SIT probe likely into illegal iron ore export

BENGALURU: THE illegal iron ore export scam is likely to trigger a fresh round of political slugfest ahead of the Assembly election in the state as the state government is all set to hand over the probe into the scam to Special Investigation Team(SIT) after the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) conveyed its helplessness to continue the probe.

The Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC), headed by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister H K Patil, which is closely monitoring the progress of the probe into illegal mining and export of iron ore cases in the state, has decided to recommend SIT probe into the case and the state cabinet will decide future course of action. The move from the state government has drawn attention to it as it has come in the backdrop of BJP launching its ‘Parivartan Yatra’ to highlight corruption in Siddaramaiah government.
The Lokayukta report which had exposed the scam had estimated the total loss to exchequer of about `16,000 crore in four years (2006-2010) due to illegal export of iron ore from Mangaluru and Karwar ports. The expose had forced former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to step down.

Speaking to reporters after the CSC meeting here on Friday, H K Patil said, it is shocking that the CBI has cited technical grounds for not registering cases in the cases related to illegal export of iron ore. The CSC, which discussed the issue, favoured ordering a probe by SIT. However, state cabinet will  take the final call, he said. He also said that, as many as 130 companies (54 in Mangaluru and 76 in Belekeri) are involved in exporting 3.65 lakh Metric Tons of iron ore from Karnataka ports. “The worth of alleged illegal iron ore exported is around `5000 crore, It could be even more”, Patil said. The CBI in its communication to Chief Secretary expressed its “helplessness” in continuing the probe into illegal iron ore exports from Mangaluru and Karwar ports, he explained.

Meanwhile, SIT, which is probing into cases of illegal ore export below 50,000 MT, has registered as many as 72 cases so far and filed charge sheets in 22 cases, Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister T B Jayachandra, a member of the CSC said. According to sources, the CBI has, in its letter to state Chief Secretary, stated that “no prima facie case exists and no evidence found during the preliminary probe into the alleged scam.”

Following the Supreme Court’s directions, Karnataka had formed SIT to investigate cases involving iron ore export of less than 50,000 MT, while CBI was assigned cases involving more than 50,000 MT.