Karnataka CM denies irregularities in issuing mining leases

MYSURU: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday denied that he or his government has committed any irregularities in granting mining leases to various iron ore companies in the state and said the opposition parties have developed a habit of looking all the works of his government with jaundiced eyes .
Talking to reporters at Mandakalli air port here , he said the mining leases have been granted as per the law and provisions of the section 8 of the mineral and mines act .As per the law , the state government has power to renew the licenses of the mining companies which are in the field for more than 20 years. He said all the licenses have been renewed as per the guidelines laid down by the section 8 of the act and the Supreme court directions.
“We cannot do any thing if the opposition parties start finding fault with all the actions and decisions taken by the government” he pointed out and said the opposition parties should study the law properly before making the allegations.
Referring to opposition to the caste based social census , he said there are instances of the governments conducting caste surveys and these surveys were carried out between 1887 and 1931 . Survey and census on this score was stopped after the independence for various reasons, he pointed and said the law courts are asking how and on what basis the governments are fixing reservations. To avoid this embarrassment to government has decided to carry out the survey, he said.
He said this year’s budget will accord stress to works related to agriculture, irrigation, health and education sectors. In reply , he said the union government should not make any attempts to cut funds to the social security programmes. Instead the centre should encourage such schemes and provide more funds, he added. He said the centre should leave the decision on tax collections and other issues to the state’s wisdom . This is more significant as the union government is on the verge of implementing the 14 finance commission recommendations.
Chief minister denied that the industries are migrating from Karnataka to other neighboring states. “ We are providing all facilities to the investors and these concessions are turning attractive for the investors” he added