CM rules out action against MLAs over Friday ruckus

CM admits that additional powers cannot be accorded to Lokayukta

“Home Minister Dr V S Acharya and Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Kumar have spoken to Opposition leaders over the issue. The problem will be settled amicably. The session will be conducted after taking everyone into confidence,” he told mediapersons here on Saturday.

On extending suo moto powers to the Lokayukta by the State Government, the Chief Minister claimed that never in the last 25 years the Lokayukta institution enjoyed such special powers. The post of Upa-Lokayukta will be filled in five days. He informed that Government has no proposal to bring elected representatives under the purview of Lokayukta.

Earlier in the day, speaking at a meeting organised by the district unit of the BJP, he admitted that additional powers could not be accorded to Lokayukta due to political reasons.

“If the ruling BJP had 150 MLAs, a decision to grant all the powers which Lokayukta is expecting, could have been taken. Consensus over the crucial issue could not be evolved,” he said.

The State is witnessing illegal mining from 2002-03 itself. He opined that the Union Government should introduce a legislation banning direct export of ore.

Advanced nations have worked out policies to ensure that the mineral resources are preserved for future generation. Our nation lacks such clear policies due to which mineral wealth is being plundered.

The Chief Minister said he will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and write letter to all the MPs to apprise them on the need to ban ore export.