Yeddyurappa extends a helping hand towards Lokayukta to curb illegal mining

Bangalore, Sep 3 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa extended a helping hand to the 'Lokayukta' Santosh Hegde to keep a check on illegal mining and transportation of iron ore from the state, here on Friday.

"I congratulate the honorable Lokayukta for the thorough inquiry into the incidents of illegal transport of iron ore and other issues, as it has opened our eyes. In order to compliment the efforts of the honorable Lokayukta and to strengthen its hands, the government is willing to consider sanctioning additional staff and also consider appointing one more Upalokayukta after consulting with the honorable Lokayukta," said Yeddyurappa.

The Lokayukta had claimed that illegal transportation of iron ore was still taking place in the state despite the ban, as the state government was unsuccessful in keeping a check.

"I am touring the nook and corner of the state to oversee the implementation, welfare and development programme, and the issue related to mining, or various stages of litigation. I need not want to react to such issues despite provocation from different quarters," said Yeddyurappa.

"The opposition leaders who were unable to stand the popularity of our government and having failed to find any other issues to corner the government, they are unnecessarily racking up trivial issues especially related to mining," he added.

The mining controversy came to the surface after state opposition parties, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), accused the Reddy brothers, Janardhan and Karuanakar, who are ministers in the Karnataka government, of looting the state's natural resources and wealth worth millions of rupees.

Yeddyurappa, however, said that he was still waiting for documented evidence from the opposition to prove the charges.

"I request our Congress and JDS (Janata Dal (Secular)) friends, if at all they have got any documents to prove that our government is involved in any such things, let them give it to the Lokayukta and let Lokayukta inquire in detail. That is all my request to my Congress and JDS friends," he said. By Jaipal Sharma(ANI)