BJP MP’s Lok Sabha Speech Puts Uttarakhand BJP Government in the Spotlight

A brief two-minute speech by BJP MP Trivendra Singh Rawat in the Lok Sabha on Thursday created a stir, drawing attention to rampant illegal mining in Uttarakhand. Rawat, representing Haridwar, highlighted that illegal mining activities were widespread at night in several regions, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital. He raised concerns about the threat posed to law and order, the environment, and public safety, noting that despite government orders, mining mafia groups were still transporting materials in trucks at night, damaging infrastructure like roads and bridges.

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State Government Defends Mining Practices, Releases Data and Video to Counter Allegations

In response, the state government quickly released data showing that legal mining had increased over the years. The government also issued a video featuring Mining Secretary Brijesh Sant, who denied the allegations, claiming that the statement about increasing illegal mining was false and baseless. Sant emphasized that mining revenue had risen significantly, with this year’s figures 2.25 times higher than last year’s, and stated that the state had implemented strict regulations and technology to monitor mining activities.

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Mining Secretary Defends Night-Time Truck Movements and Legality

Sant further explained that permits permit night-time truck movements, as the restrictions on heavy vehicles entering cities during the day are in place for safety reasons. He added that the state had set up task forces at multiple levels to monitor mining activities. The government also released a press statement, confirming that it carried out all mining and transportation activities legally, with proper permits and royalty payments.

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Rawat’s Criticism Signals Deeper Issues, Congress Raises Concerns

Rawat’s comments were particularly notable because, as a former chief minister of Uttarakhand, his criticism of the BJP-led state government raised eyebrows. In the past, Rawat had questioned the government’s handling of the Smart City project in Dehradun and its response to unemployment protests. Congress state president Karan Mahara expressed concern over Rawat’s stance, suggesting that the MP’s criticism signaled deeper issues within the government. He pointed out the environmental damage caused by the mining industry and criticized the government’s swift rebuttal of Rawat’s allegations, questioning why an MP would speak out against his own party if the issue were insignificant.

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