The Union Mines Ministry has offered all help to the Karnataka government, including a Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) probe into the reported flouting of mining norms in the state.
The Union Minister of Mines, B K Handique, in a letter to the Karnataka government, said the ministry would be happy "to offer all possible assistance" and if the state would require "the services of the Central Bureau of Investigation" to probe the irregularities, all it had to do was inform the ministry and it would do the needful.
The ministry has also asked the state government to submit an action taken report on the findings of Lokayukta of the state on the irregularities in the mining sector in which allegations have been made against the Bellary brothers, G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakar Reddy, mine owners and ministers in the Karnataka government.
"...If the state would require the services of the CBI to probe the irregularities, then please inform us urgently so that the Union government can do the needful," Handique said in the letter, according to a top government official.
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa had faced rebellion from the Bellary brothers. The Union government's offer of a CBI enquiry may give him an opportunity to corner his bete noires.
The Union Mines Ministry had also received complaints from lease holders about illegal mining of minerals in a disputed area on the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border by Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), owned by the brothers.
"The Union Ministry of Mines takes a very serious view of the irregularities and illegal activities which are continuing unabated.
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"Strong and purposeful action at the field level is absolutely imperative in the larger interest of the nation. I I look forward to your cooperation," Handique said.
A Supreme Court panel has recently indicted the Bellary bothers of indulging in illegal mining activities in the state through OMC.
The Andhra Pradesh government has already sought a CBI probe into alleged illegal mining in Anantapur district in the state by the same company. But, Karnataka Chief Minister has reportedly refused a CBI probe into the matter.
In December last year, Lokayukta (Ombudsman) of Karnataka submitted a report on several aspects of irregularities in the mining sector of the state. The union government is yet to receive an "action taken report" from the state in this regard, the official said.
Besides the offer of a CBI probe, the official said the union minister has even offered an enquiry by a Special Investigation Team into the alleged illegal mining in the state.