Why didn’t govt probe Rs 45,000 cr mining scam, asks Sachin Pilot

RPCC chief Sachin Pilot has asked chief minister Vasundhara Raje to clarify why her government did not submit files to the office of Lokayukta to steer probe in Rs 45,000 crore mining scam, and lashed on her for turning the entire exercise of probe into an eyewash. This was Pilot’s third question of the 40 questions he has decided to pose to the CM till she completes her ‘Rajasthan Gaurav Yatra’.

With the third question, the PCC chief levied serious corruption charges against Raje’s ministers and bureaucrats. He said that a huge mining scam took place with allotment of 653 mines, resulting in a loss of Rs 45,000 crore to the exchequer. 

“Each day 1-12 mines were allotted illegally and an IAS officer was arrested taking Rs 2.5 crore. Despite this, the officer was reinstated on the recommendation of the CM and he was later promoted to the principal secretary level,” said Pilot accusing Raje of shielding corrupt bureaucrats.

The state Congress head further heightened his attacks on Raje for deliberately  dumping investigation into the mining scam. “The most surprising part was that the Raje government did not hand over files related to mines allotment to the office of Lokayukta and neither Lokayukta showed interest in  probing the scam,” said Pilot.

He also questioned Raje for not taking action in other departments like- health, education, PWD, labour, social justice and empowerment and NRHM. “The ministers in her government have indulged in corrupt practices, though the CM instead of taking action reshuffled them to protect them,” said Pilot.

Notably, following in the footsteps of his party president Rahul Gandhi, Pilot had announced to ask Raje questions concerning public issues, the area where the CM, according to him, has failed miserably.