Mining firms bribing union ministers, charges CM

Threatens to sue Centre for not backing iron ore export ban

Addressing a press conference on Friday in Bangalore, the Chief Minister alleged that those who are not greasing the palms of union ministers, are not getting licenses. He also threatened to move Supreme Court if the Centre fails to stop impose ban on export of ore.

The Chief Minister’s outburst comes close on the heels of the allegations made by Congress leaders in the State that 15 fresh mining permits have been given by Yeddyurappa since he became chief minister. Both the Congress and JD(S) have been targeting his government over illegal mining.

Yeddyurappa said the public sector companies Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Limited (VISL) and Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) had not been getting licences to mine as they did not give bribes.

“In VISL of Bhadravati, earlier, there were 16,000 workers. The strength has been reduced to 1,600 now. It used manufacture finished goods. The situation is bad because the Centre is not giving permits for mining. On the other hand, China is importing iron ore fines from India and producing finished goods in other countries”, the Chief Minister said.

Claiming that many “influential politicians” were involved in the Belekeri iron ore theft case, Yeddyurappa said the government was under pressure to stop inquiring into the case.

“The inquiry will expose many ministers of the Centre and the State. Certain former ministers directly and indirectly are exerting pressure on him to stop the probe,” he claimed and added that he has documents to support his charges. However, he did not diclose the names.

Yeddyurappa said that mining owners, while paying royalty of Rs 100 to 150 a ton, are selling it for Rs 4,000. Still the Centre is not taking any action.

Legal battle

The Chief Minister threatened that he would be forced to launch legal action against the Centre on its reluctance to ban export of iron ore.

“Why are our hands tied? Who is behind this? I will go to Supreme Court. I will fight a legal battle. The Prime Minister should ban ore export for at least one year. I am ready to give all the details regarding Illegal export which is going on since past 10 years", said Yeddyurappa.

He accused Congress leaders of maligning his government in order to mask “their own collusion with the mining lobby”.

Releasingdocuments to support his claim that he had issued no mining permits nor renewed licences, the chief minister said his government has given only two licenses - to the government owned Hatti Gold Mines, and Sushilamma & Sons, which already had a mining lease.

“Some notifications were issued by the previous government. We have just executed the lease. The present government has issued notification for 656 acres of mining by 16 companies after the proposals were approved by the Centre. Some proposals were cleared during the governor’s regime too,” he said.