The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘I have always been against illegal mining'

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Thursday, Aug 26, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka

‘I have always been against illegal mining'

Special Correspondent

Outburst against Governor uncalled for: JD(S) leader
‘Bill brought in to divert people's attention'

H.D. Kumaraswamy

GULBARGA: Janata Dal (S) State president and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday accused Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa of politicising the decision of the then Governor Rameshwar Thakur of deleting the name of former Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh from the interim report of the Lokayukta on the illegal mining issue.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said: “the Chief Minister has powers to reverse the decision of the then Governor Rameshwar Thakur and take action on the interim report submitted by the Lokayukta.”

Mr. Yeddyurappa, as the head of an elected government, could reverse the decision of the Governor through a Cabinet decision.

He said the Chief Minister need not approach the President or the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Governor.

On the charge that it was the Janata Dal (S)-BJP government, under his chief ministership, that had allowed the removal of the mined iron ore from agricultural fields, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he was ready for any probe on this issue.

He reiterated that he had not taken even one decision that could have promoted illegal mining in the State. “Both the Central and State governments can initiate any action against me if there is any truth in the allegations.”

Mr. Dharam Singh, in a statement, claimed that although he permitted lifting of the mined ore dumped in the agricultural fields in three districts in the interests of the affected farmers, the actual lifting was permitted during the JD(S)-BJP government, first under Mr. Kumaraswamy and then by Mr. Yeddyurappa.

On the outburst against Governor H.R. Bhardwaj by the BJP State leadership with regard to the anti-cattle slaughter Bill, Mr. Kumaraswamy said it was uncalled for.

He said the Governor had used the powers vested in him under the Constitution and referred the Bill to President Pratibha Patil, and the BJP leadership should wait for her decision.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said the Janata Dal (S) would counter the proposed campaign by the BJP in support of the controversial Bill.

Charge

The BJP was trying to whip up religious passions by misrepresenting facts, he charged.

This Bill had been introduced to divert people's attention from the failures of the Government and the internal differences in the BJP, Mr. Kumaraswamy charged.

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