BJP accused K,taka CM of receiving kick-backs for Renewing Mining Licences

25 Feb, Bengaluru

The opposition BJP has charged that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah might have received kickbacks for renewing eight mining licences in the state covering an area of 2,385 acres.

Addressing newspersons in Bengaluru Tuesday , the leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council K S Eeshwarappa expressed suspicion over the motive of the state government to renew the lease instead of auctioning them as prescribed in the MMDR Act as amended by Central government last January.

He said government has lost revenue worth at least 1,000 crore rupees, which it could have earned by auctioning the mining area as prescribed by the Supreme Court.

He also pointed out that lease of one of the mining companies was renewed despite the CBI inquiry against them and another company has defaulted 10 crore rupees towards royalty to the government. Eeshwarappa has demanded immediate cancellation of renewal of mining licenses and auction the mining area.