It has recently been revealed-under much scrutiny-that an investigation looking into illegal mining in a handful of Indian provinces has been abruptly stopped. The investigation-which focused on financial transactions between exporters, traders, and mining lease owners, mining without a license, mining outside of lease area, transporting minerals illegally, and ecological destruction-had led to the arrest of many public officials and the sudden, unexplained close to the investigation has prompted many to wonder how far the government has entrenched itself in illegal activities. Vijay Pratap from the South Asian Dialogues on Ecological Democracy think-tank said: "The commission [investigating illegal mining] was exposing too much corruption at government level and risked undermining tightly woven corporate collusion with the political class, which has sadly become endemic in the mining industry. This is why the government aborted the investigation." It seems to be that politicians are benefiting from illegal mining at the expense of others and the environment in unregulated mining conditions and has failed to suffer the consequences of being exposed completely. The complications of illegal mining transcend effects on the environment though; the development of a nation is also being hindered. For instance, “the state [of Goa's] former director of mines and geology, Arvind Lolienkar, was also charged. Goa's state financial losses have been estimated at Rs 35,000 crore (US$5bn) as a result of large-scale mining scams.” In short the personal greed of public officials removes money from an already poor government.
1.
After reading the article, what do you think will happen to
any politicians arrested during the investigations run?
2.
Why do you think politicians and other public officials turn
to illegal activities to earn money and what does this show about India’s
government?
3.
What form of justice is being violated?
1. I don't think anything will happen to these corrupt politicians because the whole system is corrupt and they will be able to do what they want with no fear of reprimand.
ReplyDelete2. I think that they turn to illegal methods to make money because they can and no one can stop them. I think it makes them rich and the politicians gain so much wealth and power that they continue to do it and they can't stop once they get in to deep.
3. I think the dignity of the worker is being violated because of how they are getting paid almost nothing to work many hours a week and then have the boss be making so much money he becomes one of the most wealthy men in the world and he can't be affected by justice at all, he is untouchable.