Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

‘Institute Lokayukta probe into mining irregularities’

HUBLI: Senior Congress leader Janardhana Poojary has said that it was the Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition Government that issued mining licences illegally and not the Dharam Singh Government.

Mr. Poojary told presspersons here on Tuesday that there were proposals before Mr. Singh when he was the Chief Minister to issue mining licences, but he did not issue them. The licences were issued illegally after the BJP-JD(S) collation Government was formed, he said.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa should request the Lokayukta to conduct a detailed inquiry into the issue, Mr. Poojary said and added that there were records to prove that the licences were not issued during Mr. Singh’s tenure. Referring to the allegations made by the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda against Mr. Yeddyurappa with regard to Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises issue and mining irregularities, Mr. Poojary said that filing a defamation case would not be of any help in bringing out persons responsible for the irregularities.

He said that the Chief Minister should hand over the issue to the Lokayukta for a thorough inquiry. The inquiry would also reveal who were involved in cheating the public, he said.

Mr. Poojary said that because of the “profligacy” of the BJP Government, there were no funds for development works. The Government had not only spent money recklessly but also failed to collect revenue, he charged.

On the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mr. Poojary said that he would be participating in campaigning for byelections. However, Mr. Poojary said that entry and exit of leaders, including himself, would not make any impact on the Congress.

Correspondent from Karwar writes:

Addressing presspersons in Karwar, Mr. Poojary criticised the BJP for “Operation Lotus”. Voters would teach parties that indulged in politics of opportunism a lesson, he said.

Referring to the defection of Minster for Fisheries Anand Asnotikar from the Congress, Mr. Poojary said he (Mr. Asnotikar) deceived not only the party but also to people of the constituency (Karwar). Mr. Asnotikar had not taken up any development work in the constituency even after becoming Minister. He expressed hope that people of Karwar would teach Mr. Asnotikar (BJP candidate) a lesson in the byelection.

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