Mining muck against four former CMs

BANGALORE: The National Committee for Protection of Natural Resources (NCPNR) on Wednesday claimed that its investigation team has unearthed vital information pertaining to sanctioning of mining leases during the tenure of four chief ministers — S M Krishna, N Dharam Singh, H D Kumaraswamy and B S Yeddyurappa.Addressing the press here on Wednesday, chairman of NCPNR S R Hiremath claimed that Krishna sanctioned/recommended 15 mining leases during his tenure and that Dharam Singh and Kumaraswamy had recommended/sanctioned 40 leases each. “Even after illegalities of Deccan Mining Syndicate were brought to Krishna’s notice by then Union Steel Minister, he did not cancel its leases,” he said.  Hiremath also stated that all relevant documents relating to the investigation of the NCPNR team have been sent to the authorities concerned for further action. He urged people to pressure the government to appoint a honest Lokayukta.