BANGALORE: Congress members in the Legislative Council on Thursday trooped into the well of the House during Question Hour alleging that the Government was suppressing the report on illegal mining in Bellary district and Kanakapura taluk of Bangalore Rural district.

Leader of the Opposition H.K. Patil said the report had already been presented in the Legislative Assembly with details of 78 persons who were engaged in illegal mining operations. The same report ought to be furnished in the House.

Earlier, Primary Education Minister Basavaraj S. Horatti told M.P. Nadagouda, in reply to a question, that details of illegal mining in Kanakapura and in Bellary district would soon be made available as the report of the survey was awaited.

Replying on behalf of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Mr. Horatti said two task forces constituted to identify instances of illegal mining had seized about Rs. 2.4 crore worth of minerals and other material from various parts of the State.

However, Mr. Patil said it was not a satisfactory answer.

Mr. Horatti suggested that the question be withheld until he could get the information sought by the members. Besides, he said, the report presented in the Assembly specifically covered illegal mining in patta land, and the information sought by Dr. Nadagouda was more comprehensive and referred to the entire State.

But Mr. Patil said the Opposition would not allow the question to be withheld and led his party members into the well of the House.

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