The Yeddyurappa camp is certainly having more than its say in the decision making process of the state government though the former CM has now been out of power for 11 months. In a major development, the government has sent a revised report to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court clarifying that there was prima facie evidence against three former chief ministers— S.M. Krishna, Dharam Singh and H.D. Kumaraswamy— on their role in illegal mining.
In the revised reply, the undersecretary, mines, commerce and industries department said: “Mysore Mineral Ltd suffered a revenue loss amounting to Rs 714.54 crore from 1999 to 2007 during the tenure of S.M. Krishna, Dharam Singh and H.D. Kumaraswamy”. Interestingly, in its first reply the state government had given a clean chit to the three former CM. The revised reply is diametrically opposite to what was stated in the first reply and has been sent after BSY took strong exception to the ‘favourable’ reply sent to the CEC earlier.
The government, quoting the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, said: “S.M. Krishna had de-reserved area of 11620 sq kms and surrendered 6832.48 hectares of prime iron ore bearing land. This paved way for distribution to private individuals without assessing their professional or technical background. The entire exercise was undertaken in a manner which benefitted only a select few individuals”. “Former chief minister N. Dharam Singh had made 43 recommendations for mining leases to government of India during his period in power between May 28, 2004 and February 1, 2006. Lokayukta had recommended criminal proceedings against Dharam Singh for recovery of loss caused by him to the state but then governor, Rameshwar Takur, exonerated him from the charges”, said the revised reply.
The Lokayukta report also said that during H.D. Kumaraswamy’s tenure in power, orders for dereservation of forest land were issued but the relevant file was not made available. Mr. Kumaraswamy had recommended the highest number of mining leases—47— when he was CM.