Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj said on Wednesday he is not asking the Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde, to submit to him his final report on illegal mining in the State.
Mr. Bhardwaj said since the matter was referred to Mr. Hegde by the Government, he has to give his report to it along with his recommendations.
“There is one eventuality...that is… anything is to be done on the part of the Governor...then he can definitely send it (to the Governor).Otherwise, this report he has to send it to the Government, not me”, the Governor told reporters in the district headquarters town of Mysore in response to questions.
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Explaining the “legal position”, Mr. Bhardwaj, who shared an uneasy relation with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and has been at loggerheads at times, said once the report is given to the Government, “there will be period given to the Government to accept or reject those recommendations”.
Noting that since he (Bhardwaj) has not referred the matter to the Lokayukta, he is “not a party to this whole thing...it relates to mining and related matters”.
“So, there have been comments from Hegde from time to time that he may send (the report to the Governor), may not send. I am not asking (him) to send”, Mr. Bhardwaj, who had twice recommended President’s Rule in the State in the past but without success, said.
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On Sunday, the Governor, perceived in some quarters of BJP as being hostile to the government, said he would send a report to President Pratibha Patil once the mining report “comes on record“.
Mr. Hegde’s leaked report on illegal mining has indicted Mr. Yeddyurappa, triggering a political storm.