Yeddyurappa files petition before Lokayukta over mining report

Bangalore, August 2: Outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa on Tuesday filed a petition before Lokayukta Santosh Hegde seeking reconsideration of his report indicting him in the illegal mining that cost him the top post.
Mr. Yeddyurappa in his petition pleaded with the Lokayukta to reconsider his recommendation for prosecuting him under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, saying it was contrary to the Lokayukta Act and "there are certain errors which have crept into the report'.
The report had not provided any substantive evidence to prove the charge against him, Mr. Yeddyurappa, who was directed to quit by party leadership, said. "The recommendations made in this case are liable for reconsideration as it is not part of the reference made by the State government. In fact, the recommendations are beyond the reference made by government,' he said after submitting the report.
The government had sought the probe into illegal mining for the period from 2000 to July 19, 2010, the petition presented to the Lokayukta by Mr. Yeddyurappa's Political Secretary B. J. Puttaswamy said.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said had he been served a notice on the issue of Rs. 10 crore donation received by the Prerana Education Society, a trust managed by his family members, the findings of the Lokayukta report would have been otherwise.
He sought to distance himself from the trust, saying "so far as the donation to the trust (is concerned), I unequivocally make it clear that I am not a party to the trust. I was never involved directly or indirectly in the affairs of the trust. I have no say in the trust'.
Seeking a review of the findings, Mr. Yeddyurappa said the stigma attached to him following his indictment by Lokayukta would continue to haunt him and pleaded for an opportunity to prove his innocence.
According to the Lokayukta findings, South West Mining Company, owned by Jindals dealing in iron ore, had donated Rs. 10 crore to the trust while Jindal Steels purchased an acre of land (from the chief minister's family members) on Bangalore outskirts for Rs. 20 crore, whereas the guidance value fixed by the government was Rs 1.40 crore.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said the report noted that no violation had been committed by him as he had not granted any mining licence to the South West Mining Company and Jindal Steels.
He also pointed out that the Lokayukta cannot come to a conclusion that he would pass a favourable order in favour of these two firms at a later date.
Mr. Yeddyurappa requested Lokayukta to fix a date for hearing of his petition and said his lawyer would represent him. (Agencies


2011-08-02



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