CEC interim report likely on April 15

Faced with a large number of issues that were brought to its notice, the committee will restrict its report that will be submitted to the Supreme Court to the original 14 issues.

The original 14 issues include encroachment of 1,081 hectares of forest land in the Bellary-Hospet (BHS) region, the denotification of nearly 265 acres of forest as revenue land in Ramgad, action taken against former Chief Minister Dharam Singh for allowing lifting of iron ore without a licence, and prosecution of officials.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the CEC held a hearing of both the petitioners Samaja Parivartana Samudaya and officials of the Karnataka government, including Principal Secretary (Forests) Kaushik Mukherjee and Director (Mines and Geology).

The petitioners, represented by S R Hiremath and P Vishnu Kamath, submitted to the CEC that action must be taken against the highest functionaries of the State, including the chief secretary and other officials. The petitioners alleged that illegal mining operations in the State were also in violation of FEMA, Income tax, and other rules arising out of inter state operations.

Miglani responds

On the report “AP to prosecute Reddy firm for ‘lie’ dated April 12, 2011, Ankit R Miglani responds that the Miglani family has acquired a stake in Bramhani Industries Karnataka Limited, which is independent from Brahmani Industries (Andhra Pradesh), in their personal capacity and not as part of Uttam Galva Steels Limited, which is a listed entity.