Thakur rejects mining charges against Dharam

 Thakur in a letter dated June 23 which reached Lokayukta Santosh Hegde on July 6, has said he will not accept charges against Singh. Thakur left Bangalore to take charge as the Governor of Madhya Pradesh on June 29.

Lokayukta in its report submitted to the government on illegal mining last year, had charged that Singh during his tenure as the chief minister had illegally given permission to carry out mining on patta land and caused a loss of Rs 23 crore to the State exchequer. The Lokayukta had recommended to recover money from the former chief minister. But the then governor in his letter stated that Dharam Singh intended to help farmers.

When contacted, Lokayukta Santosh Hegde confirmed that he has received Thakur’s letter, but he refused to comment on it.