Date:23/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/23/stories/2008122355070600.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

BJP seeks probe into issue of mining licences

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The BJP on Monday demanded an inquiry to ascertain whether H. D. Kumaraswamy had sanctioned new mining licences towards the end of his tenure as Chief Minister.

Addressing presspersons here, BJP spokesman V. Dhananjay Kumar stated that there was a suspicion that mining licences were sanctioned by Mr. Kumaraswamy. An inquiry in this regard will throw light and clear the doubts. He urged the Government to take serious action based on the Lokaykuta report on mining irregularities, which, he said, had referred to mining licences issued by the then Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh. Mr. Kumar denied the allegation of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda that money from the mining lobby was used to meet the expenditure of party candidates in the bypolls.