Yeddyurappa defends himself in response to Governor’s letters

Mtoday news

Bangalore, Dec 19: Responding to Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj’s letters, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today defended himself against land scam allegations, saying he had not indulged in any irregularities in denotification of land.

In a tersely worded communication, Mr. Yeddyurappa said denotification of land had also taken place during the regime of JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy and even then there were reports of irregularities, Chief Minister’s Office sources said.

On December 15, the Governor had shot off two letters to the Chief Minister asking him to send a detailed report on the land scams allegedly involving his family members and also what action had been taken to stop illegal mining, with specific reference to the Reddy brothers, ministers and mining magnates Janardhana and Karunakara.

Mr. Yeddyurappa, in his response, has stated in a veiled manner that the Governor’s missive had been based on Mr. Kumaraswamy’s complaint and that his actions were prompted by the latter, the sources said.

The sources said Mr. Yeddyurappa also clarified that the land allotted to his son and daughter had been returned.

On the issue of allotment of ‘G’ category site using discretionary powers, Mr. Yeddyurappa said he would follow the recent High Court order and stop such allotment, sources said.

In response to another letter by Mr. Bhardwaj seeking clarification on the business interests of the three Bellary ministers, the Reddy brothers and their close associate, Sreeramulu, he defended them saying their transactions are in accordance with the law, sources said.

Mr. Yeddyurappa also informed the Governor that the three ministers did not own any mining licence in Karnataka, sources said.

The Governor had hit out at Mr. Yeddyurappa for failing to take any action over the land scam and mining controversies and had directed him to respond to his letters quickly.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said in his letter that his government has issued several circulars and notifications to curb illegal mining and these measures were even challenged by some aggrieved mines owners.

“We are sure if proper cooperation and support is extended by the Government of India for the measures suggested by the State government, it will go a long way in curbing illegal mining and increase revenue to the state”, the Chief Minister said.

Mr. Yeddyurappa urged Mr. Bhardwaj to join hands with the State government in its effort to curb illegal mining and ask the Centre also to ban export of iron ore.

On Governor’s references to three Bellary Ministers, Mr. Yeddyurappa said, “The ministers have nothing to do with the business of the government and it pertained to their individual business activity. However, a copy of your letter has been forwarded to the concerned ministers.”

Mr. Yeddyurappa further said, “It is clarified that the ministers referred to in your letter do not have any subsisting contract with government. I request you to kindly refer to my earlier detailed replies sent on July 13 and today and the same may be perused to avoid any repetition”.

In the letter, Mr. Yeddyurappa further said that the allegations levelled by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee in its representation are “politically motivated“.

He said that to probe allegations regarding land denotification and the allotments, an Inquiry Commission is constituted and Justice B Padmaraj has been appointed.

“I equally share the concern exhibited by you in the letter about the propriety and probity required to be maintained in the administration of the State,” he said in reference to the Governor’s letter on illegal mining and with reference to the Bellary ministers.

“The matters referred to in the newspaper report about the ministers have nothing to do with the business of the Government and pertain to individual business activities,” he said, adding that the Governor’s letters had been forwarded to the ministers concerned.

He countered the governor’s point about lack of action on illegal mining and said the “government had issued various instructions and circulars to curb illegal mining activities in the State“.

He also said that the State’s action had in fact prompted several mining companies from approaching the High court on the matter.

He urged the Governor to pursue with the central government to join the State in its efforts to curb illegal mining to ban export of iron ore so as “to promote development of industries leading to value addition and employment generation within the country.”

The Chief Minister also requested the JDS President Deve Gowda, who had petitioned the Governor (about illegal mining and alleged land scams), to “use his good offices to prevail upon the Government of India” to pursue the matter.


Courtesy: The Hindu