Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday that his government will not protect any law-breaker and will always abide by the law.
He was speaking to reporters during his visit to the city to attend the annual Sharana Sanskruthi Utsav. He brushed aside the allegations made by social activist S R Hiremath, who had issued a deadline to the government to remove Santosh Lad from the Cabinet for his involvement in illegal mining. Meanwhile, Loksatta party leaders on Friday too demanded the resignation of Santosh Lad.
“He (Lad) has clarified the issue with me. He was involved in transporting dumped ore and not illegal mining. Hence, there is no point in dropping him as he is not involved in any illegal mining,” Siddaramaiah said.
The CM said Lad has replied to all the questions raised by Hiremath and there was no point in having any more discussions on the matter. Siddaramaiah said his government will soon begin the re-tendering process for ‘C’ category mines whose licences were withdrawn earlier.