Karnataka: CM to take charge of info dept after minister resigns

Bangalore, Nov 23:

Chief Minister

would hold additional charge of Information portfolio as Governor H R Bhardwaj on Saturday accepted the resignation of Santosh S Lad, who quit over allegations of illegal mining.

Infrastructure Development portfolio has been allocated to Minister for Planning, IT, BT and Science and Technology, S R Patil on the advice of the Chief Minister, according to a Raj Bhavan communique on Saturday.

Lad was accused of involving in illegal mining for the past three months

Lad, who was Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Information and Infrastructure Development, submitted his resignation late last eventing to the Chief Minister, who forwarded it to the Governor for acceptance.

Thirty-eight-year-old Lad, a three-time MLA, was facing heat over allegations of illegal mining for the past three months.

Ahead of winter session of the state legislature, commencing on Monday, the Chief Minister, who had also been conveyed by the Governor H R Bhardwaj to take action against him, asked Lad to put in his papers.

The resignation was also aimed at disarming opposition JDS and BJP, which were gearing up to put the Government on the mat by keeping the spotlight on Lad.

The iron ore mining company in which Lad is partner is linked to another firm owned by his relatives who allegedly indulged in illegal mining. Lad had repeatedly denied that his company was engaged in illegal mining.

PTI