The Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday directed the State Government to take action against a mining inspector for his alleged negligence following the Opposition Congress’ allegations that the BJP-led Government was protecting illegal miners. The matter of illegal mining at Susandra inter-State barrier in Betul district had been raised by Congress’ Sukhdev Panse during the Question Hour on Wednesday. The Opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh accused the BJP-led State Government of safeguarding the interests of those engaged in illegal mining. Following this, Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani directed the State Government to take action against the mining inspector, who had been allegedly held prima facie responsible for the lapses. The Speaker also asked the Government to inform the House about it during the ongoing Budget Session. During the discussion, Panse alleged that the Mumbai-based company GHV Private Ltd has illegally mined 1,200 truck-loads of base material in connivance with the mining inspector for using it in the construction of a six-lane road. The Congressman further alleged that even though the Government had found the inspector prima facie responsible for the lapses, “no action had been taken against him and he was being protected in the case”. Responding to this, Mining Minister Rajendra Shukla said, “A task force has been constituted in all the districts in order to keep a check on the illegal mining activities in the State.” Referring to the particular case, Shukla said the matter is pending in a local court and if anybody is found guilty, action would be taken against him after the probe. Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh alleged that the situation is prevailing in the entire State and is not only confined to Betul alone. “The Government is protecting the people engaged in illegal mining in the entire State resulting in crime like murder,” he said. But the Speaker did not allow him to raise the issue.