Lokayukta convinced with My Answers on Belikere Port Scam: Palemar
Mangalore, Jul 11 (DHNS): 'I have explained everything to Lokayukta and he is convinced with my answers and the steps taken by me with regard to the Belikere port scam,' said Environment, Ports and Inland Fishing Krishna Palemar, who is also the district-in-charge minister for Dakshina Kannada.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday, he narrated the entire episode on why he decided to write to the Chief Minister.
“As soon as I learnt about the incident through newspaper reports, I visited the port on the same day (June 8) and made enquiries. When I learnt that the Belikere Port Officer (Mahesh Biliya) had released ore to many companies after collecting indemnity bonds, though a court order clearly stated that the 32,950 tonnes of ore shall be released to Greentech Company (only). Immediately the port officer was suspended,” he said.
“In this background, I called local DCF Gokul over phone to seek details (as the ore was seized by him) for which he refused to come. Later, when a meeting was convened, all the officers concerned came except DCF Gokul, which made me suspect him.”
“Hence, I wrote a letter to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary. Did I do anything wrong? What would you do in such a case?” he questioned the scribes and clarified that neither he wrote anything ill against the officer nor he pointed out any mistake with the DCF. “All I wrote in the letter that there was dereliction of duty on the part of the DCF,” he said and added that he (Palemar) had no intention of hurting the Lokayukta.
“I met Lokayukta for about 90 minutes and explained to him what made me write letter to the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary and he (Lokayukta) is convinced,” he reiterated.
To a query on the quantity of illegal ore, Palemar said that as per the information available with him, it is 2.5 lakh tonnes, though reports claim that there was six lakh tonnes of ore.
To another query on the necessity of two probes (CoD and Lokayukta) over the issue, Palemar said it is left to Lokayukta. “He can withdraw the CoD probe. However, the Lokayukta probe will be final and binding,” he said.