Granite mining next on Karnataka Lok Ayukta radar

After the Lok Ayukta probe into illegal iron ore mining caused tremors in the state politics, the government is mulling over a similar action alleged illegal granite mining.

“We are considering a proposal to conduct a Lok Ayukta probe into the alleged illegal granite mining all over the state, from Kanakupa to Chamarajnagar, following several complaints,” forest minister CP Yogeshwar said on Friday.

Complaints against illegal granite mining are pouring in from Ramanagar district too.

The minister said complete information would be gathered on granite mining and the issue would be discussed with chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda before taking a final decision on handing over the probe to the Lok Ayukta.

The move is being seen as a significant development in the light of allegations that senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar, too, had granite mining interests in the state.

Launching an indirect tirade against Shivakumar, the minister said, “Those who had issued licences for granite mining are now trying to bring me down. They have complained against me to the governor. It is like robber himself filing a complaint.”

Referring to recent meeting of a Congress delegation with governor HR Bharadwaj seeking Yogeshwar’s ouster for his alleged involvement in Megacity scam, the latter said, “I have not committed any fraud in the Megacity project. The Congress leaders have lodged a complaint against me to the governor. I have already explained the issues to the governor,” he said.