Privatisation has led to mining mafias: Bhushan

TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Claiming that privatisation of mining sector has led to creation of mining mafias, considered as one of the major threats to democracy, eminent Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan on Sunday ascertain the need to run the mining business through a reformed public sector.
Bhushan, the co-founder of Aam Aadmi party (AAP) also raised worry over the depletion of natural resources (iron ore), looking at the manner in which the rampant and rapacious mining is taking place in the State.
He alleged that government polices of transferring the mining sector to private parties has led to massive explosion of corruption, destruction of environment and depletion of resources.
 “There is a need to set up anti-corruption investigation agencies, totally independent form government, for investigating into mining scams or corruptions,” the social activist added.
Bhushan was speaking during the public interactive session, organised by Goa unit of AAP at Panjim today.
“The mining sector should be within the ambit of public sector. The functioning of natural resources and natural monopolies like water, power should come within the public sector,” he said.
He admited that ‘there are certain loopholes in the functioning of public sector too. But that can be overcome’.
The lawyer said that the reformed public sector can be developed, making it more transparent and accountable.
He pointed out that till 1980, mining was a part of public sector.
 but then the Union government decided to transfer the business to private parties.
, brining in corruption, illegalities and mining mafias.
“The private companies are not bothered about the impacts of mining on people or environment. Their only concern is profit. They are not accountable to anything,” he said, adding ‘if mining continues to remain in the hands of these people, then as quoted by Justice M B Shah, the resources will not even last for 20 years’.
Pointing at the Reddy Brothers in Karnataka, Bhushan said ‘privatisation of mining sector has created mafias, who sit on top of entire ruling establishment in the country. They are one of the major threats to democracy’. 
Indirectly tagging Sesa Goa as one of the biggest mining mafia, Bhushan said ‘the company is involved in every kind of illegality in the sector and yet left scot free’.
Bhushan said that the law enforcement agencies like police or CID or CBI, who are suppose to act against the wrong doings, are seen helpless, as these agencies are governed by government.