Karnataka CM to governor: Ask Centre to stop illegal mining

The war of letters between governor HR Bhardwaj and chief minister BS Yeddyurappa shows no signs of abating as the latter hit back on Sunday and not only denied the former’s charge of rampant illegal mining in the state, but also asked him to get the Centre to stop illegal mining in the entire country.

Yeddyurappa on Sunday replied to two letters that Bhardwaj had written on Thursday.

It may be recalled that the governor had expressed serious concern over the alleged illegal mining in the state and had asked why the government had not ordered a CBI probe into it while the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh had done so. The governor had also sought a detailed report on alleged land scams involving the family members of the chief minister.

In his reply, the chief minister has pointed out that the state government had already taken several measures to stop illegal mining including banning the export of iron ore. The number of check-posts have also been increased, Yeddyurappa said and asked the governor to prevail upon the Centre to take effective measures to ban illegal mining in the entire country.

The letter also denied the governor’s charge of illegal mining against tourism minister Janardhana Reddy by stating that the Reddys had their mines in Andhra Pradesh and therefore there was no need for a CBI probe in Karnataka.

“I have today sent two letters to the governor of Karnataka, Hans Raj Bhardwaj, in reply to the two letters he had sent me. I have tried to convince him about the political ill the Congress and JD(S)  harbour against me,” Yeddyurappa said after shooting off the missives.

“I have addressed various issues, mainly the illegal mining and land scams. These were the issues that were raised by the Congress and JD(S) with an intention of destabilising my government. I have appealed in my letter that the governor should not be misled by the accusations made by the opposition parties. In the case of illegal mining, both the Supreme Court and high court have seen no reason behind the accusations made by the opposition parties. I only hope that Bhardwaj will be convinced by my replies,” the chief minister said.