From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jul 31: Karnataka would be urging the the Centre for establishing a bench of the Supreme Court in the State, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister S Suresh Kumar said today.

The State Government would also request the Centre to convert the existing circuit benches of the Karnataka High Court in Hubli-Dharward and Gulbarga into permanent benches, the minister said answering a question from Congress member B Ramalinga Reddy in the State Legislative Assembly.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said as many as 40 officials and staff have been suspended and show-cause notices have been issued to another 257 who have been named by Lokayukta reports in illegal mining in Karnataka.

The Chief Minister said 66 officials and staff named by the Lokayukta in the illegal mining in Bellary district have been transferred from Bellary district.

The then Lokayukta Justice (Retd) N Santosh Hegde had submitted the preliminary report on illegal mining on December 18, 2008 and the final report on July 27, 2011.

The Congress member wanted to know the action initiated by the government on the Lokayukta’s recommendations.

Shettar said show-cause notices have been issued to five IAS officers and one IPS officer.
Disciplinary action has been taken against three officials of the State-owned Mysore Minerals Ltd, the chief minister said.

''After the Lokayukta reports, we have taken necessary action. There is no question of shielding anybody,” he said.

Congress Opposition leader in the Assembly Siddaramaiah said the loss to the state exchequer due to illegal mining and non-payment of royalty was to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore. But the State Government had not taken any action, he said.

''The Government should take stringent action without hesitation, without coming under influence and pressure,” he said pointing out that the Government was not serious in taking action in curbing illegal mining.