The Reddys allege that the governor was acting out of bias, and that his act of taking cognisance of the petition and forwarding it to the EC was proof of it.
With effect from Monday, the state government announced a ban on transport and export of iron ore from 10 ports in the state. This move to prevent the illegal transport and export of iron ore will stay in force until Lokayukta justice N Santosh Hegde completes his probe into illegal mining in the state and submits a report.
The list of ports from where transport and export of iron ore has been banned includes Karwar, Old Mangalore, Padubidri, Belekeri, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Malpe and Kundapur. The announcement comes even as chief minister BS Yeddyurappa was in New Delhi, trying to convince the Centre of the need to amend the mines and mineral policy, and urging the need for a total ban on the export of iron ore from the country.
“We have proved our commitment to ban export of iron ore. Now, our Congress friends should do their bit by pressurising the centre to come out with a national policy in this regard, instead of indulging in cheap padayatra politics,” said chief minister BS Yeddyurappa.
Reacting to the announcement of the ban of export of iron ore, leader of the opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah, said, “This is merely a symbolic gesture to cover up for the government’s lapses all these years. The chief minister should order a CBI probe if he is sincerely interested in punishing illegal miners.”
Meanwhile, the controversial mining barons and Karnataka ministers Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy on Monday denied the charge that there was a ‘clash of interests’ as they held office as tourism and revenue ministers despite also having business interests. They asserted before the election commission that the ‘clash of interests’ argument did not hold, as they were not involved in mining activity in Karnataka; all their business interests, they claimed, were in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
The Reddy brothers were replying to a petition filed by Congress legislator KC Kondiah seeking their disqualification from office under the Representation of Peoples Act. State health minister B Sriramulu, a close associate of the Reddys, was also named in the petition.
Kondiah had filed the complaint before the state governor, HR Bhardawaj, who in turn had forwarded the petition to the election commission. The Reddys objected to the governor’s act of forwarding the petition, seeking their disqualification as ministers.
The Reddys said that the governor was clearly biased; they alleged that this act was tantamount to misuse of the office of governor.
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