Karnataka CM to place 'Status Report' on Mining Scam

Bangalore, Mar 30 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today declared in the Legislative Council that he will place a 'status report' on the mining operations in the State since 1997 and face Lokayukta inquiry in to the alleged irregularities during his tenure.

Making a suo-moto announcement, Mr Kumaraswamy, who also facing a bribery charges to the tune of Rs 150 crores in the mining scam, said that the government had referred the matter to Lokayukta for inquiry and he was ready to face it.

He said that after winding up Justice U L Bhat Commission constituted to inquire into the Rs 150 crore bribery charges has referred the matter to Lokayukta. The state government has also decided to give more powers to the Lokayukta and a final decision in this regard would be taken shortly by the Cabinet.

Mr Kumaraswamy said that the Lokayukta has announced that he would ready to raid even the residences of Ministers and also Chief Minister if anybody comes forward to submit supportive documents about the charges. Welcoming the Lokayukta's announcement on the issue he said that to enable to provide requisite powers to it the government has decided to strengthening the organisation.

He said that ever since he came to power not a single file pertaining to issue of mining license was cleared and also announced to hold an inquiry into the allegation that a Andhra Pradesh private firm was given license to extract iron-ore at a price which was lowest in the present market.

Referring to a Rs 1000-crore revenue evasion from the Jindal Vijayanagar Steel Limited (JVSL) in Hospet, the Chief Minister informed that the steel company has paid Rs Five crore towards its due and government will take measures to recover the remaining. The JVSL had to pay state government Rs 154 crores for extracting iron-ore for its plant.

UNI