Friday 06 July 2012
India
Farm Minister in trouble
In a state where illegal mining is rampant a top minister is now in the dock for his alleged involvement in stone quarrying in the Panna District.
Brijendra Pratap Singh -- the Agriculture Minister of Madhya Pradesh accused of operating two mines in Panna with some family members as his front.
Sanjay Nagaich, social activist, said, “These quarries are being run by Madhya Pradesh’s Agriculture Minister Brijendra Singh’s family and Brijendra Singh himself.”
While the allegations fly thick and fast -- Shivraj Chouhan’s minister has denied any link to the mines in question.
Brijendra Pratap Singh, said, “They are running the mines independently. We just deal with the trading, which my younger brother is looking after. It’s called Radhika Traders.”
But the Opposition is refusing to let go of the issue. Manak Agarwal, said, “This minister should be sacked immediately and the illegal mining that is going on in Madhya Pradesh should be stopped.
If they don’t stop it, then the Congress party will file a case against Brijendra Pratap Singh.”
As controversy grows and the villagers of Panna come out against Madhya Pradesh’s powerful Agriculture Minister, it remains to be seen whether the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister will order a probe into the allegations against his minister.
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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