Mangaluru: Close on the heels of BJP MLA Rajesh Naik challenging former minister Ramanath Rai to put out the documents to prove his involvement in illegal red bauxite quarrying through his relative in the Bantwal taluk, the latter held a press meet on Saturday, Nov 14 and said that he has proof that one of the close relatives of Naik is involved in illegal quarrying.
“After MLA Naik challenged me to prove the same with documents, I am here to prove what I said. Though I had never mentioned the name of the MLA, Naik has responded to the allegations and has in a way confessed voluntarily,” he said adding that the permit for quarrying at Tenkadapadavu has been taken in the name of one Usha Naik, who is the wife of Rajesh Naik.
He pointed out that though the permit is restricted to Tenkadapadavu area only, it is seen that red bauxite is being transported from Mudipu.
In Mudipu, permission is given only to level the land, and the permit is obtained illegally in the name of Kairangala PDO. From Mudipu, red bauxite is being sold to renowned cement companies of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. As much as 14,000 tonnes of red bauxite is transported in the name of the PDO, he said.
Karnataka state chief secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar has directed Dakshina Kannada district administration and the mines and geology department to take necessary action in connection with a complaint on illegal transportation of red bauxite from the district filed by Rai.
Former MLC Ivan D’souza, Ex-MLA J R Lobo, DK Congress Committee President Harish Kumar, Ex-Mayors Sashidhar Hegde and Harinath, Mrs Shalet Pinto President of D.K District Mahila congress, among others were present during the press meet.
