Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday said the State government was not interested in seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into illegal mining, unlike Andhra Pradesh.
“As per the directions of Supreme Court, the CBI has already taken up a probe into the illegal mining in the State and I think there is no need to again for an investigation,” he said.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question on the stand of the Congress which had in the past repeatedly demanded such an investigation.
Mr. Siddaramaiah was here to attend a wedding at JSW Steels township.
However, he made it clear that the State government would abide by the directions of the Supreme Court.
On initiating steps to cancel the 51 mining leases as directed by the apex court, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would get details of the recommendations and initiate appropriate steps. “The State government will take appropriate decisions on the matter in accordance with the Supreme Court directions,” he added.
To another question, the Chief Minister said the recommendations of Lokayukta on illegal mining would be discussed in the Cabinet before a decision is taken on the kind of action to be initiated against the guilty.
H.S. Mahadeva Prasad, Santosh Lad, and H.C. Mahadevappa were among the Ministers who were with the Chief Minister.
