‘CEC probe limited to mines in two areas’
The Supreme Court constituted Central Empowered Commitee (CEC), which submitted its report on illegal mining in the State on Friday, had conducted field inspection only in select places in Bellary district mentioned in a petition filed by Samaja Parivarthana Samudaya, a non-government organisation.
The petitioner had among others raised the issue of illegal grant of mining lease to 15 companies in Ramgad forest area and encroachment of 1,981 hectare of forest area in BRH forest area. The CEC, led by its chairman P V Jayakrishnan, conducted the inspection on March 26 and 27 only in these forest areas.
At a press conference, when media asked Congress leader K C Kondaiah of Bellary on Saturday as to why the CEC members visited only select places, he said, “The CEC did not inspect all mines located in forest areas in Bellary, as the petitioner had questioned illegal mining activities in only two forest areas.”
Asked whether the CEC will be inspecting other forest areas too where illegal mining activities were reported, Kondaiah replied in the negative.
Yeddyurappa rules out CBI inquiry
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa on Saturday strongly defended Bellary Reddy brothers over the issue of illegal mining saying that all allegations against them were baseless.
He also reiterated that his government will not order a CBI probe into the illegal mining. “There is no need for a CBI probe now as the issue is being considered by the Supreme Court. When the Supreme Court itself has taken up the issue, what is the need for a CBI inquiry?” he asked.
