Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Dec 17: Exhibiting his impatience yet again at the functioning style of the BJP government in the state, Governor, H R Bharadhwaj, has asked the government to immediately file its Action Taken Report (ATR) on the report pertaining to illegal mining, filed by the Lokayukta last year.

This is the second time the Governor has demanded the said report. The report had been filed by the Lokayukta on December 18 last year. The letter, addressed to the Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa by the Governor, has been written in connection with a memorandum submitted by the Congress Party leaders to the Governor on December 5, seeking the dismissal of the three mining barons from the ministry. In his letter dated December 9, the Governor has asked the government to clarify its stand on illegal mining activities in the state.

The Governor, while reminding the government that it has been about a year since the report was submitted to the government, has drawn the attention of the Chief Minister to the fact that Justice Santosh Hegde, in his report, had, in addition to seeking immediate action against illegal mining, also made certain recommendations in his report. Through the letter, he has expressed his anguish at the fact that the government has not taken any steps on the mining report during the last 12 months, even though it was expected to do so within three months.

Sources said that the Chief Minister had not taken various reminders sent to him by Sharada Subrahmanya, secretary to the Governor, about his failure to respond to the Governor’s earlier letter. The Governor has also enclosed a copy of the memorandum submitted by the Congressmen to him, which alleges that some ministers, who are engaged in illegal mining, have been working with vested interests, sacrificing honesty and transparency in the state administration.

“I feel sorry to remind you that I have not received your response on this issue. The letter I had earlier written to you to file ATR with regard to the Lokayukta report on mining had received lot of public attention. You are requested to furnish the details sought for immediately,” the Governor has said in terse words.

Sources in the secretariat also say that the Governor is upset over the fact that Yeddyyurappa, instead of personally briefing him about various developments in the state from time to time, has been deputing home minister, Dr V S Acharya to do this job.