Belgaum: In a slap given to the face of Congress leaders in Karnataka Sunday, the Lokayukta has demanded prosecution proceedings against former CM and present MP from a border area in Karnataka, N. Dharam Singh for his illegal sale of iron ore in 2005 worth Rs.23 crores, thereby incurring a loss of revenue worth 100% in the bargain. It may be noted that Dharam Singh was neither offered a Governorship nor a cabinet berth when Kharge became a Union Minister.
But it is doubtful whether Dharam would leave Lok Sabha unless he is convicted by Lokayukta, who is busy finalizing Belekeri (NK) port’s (iron ore) exports transactions in which Reddy Brothers and others are involved. The entire iron ore probe may take another 3 to 4 months, but names (or skeletons) may tumble from the Congress and BJP cupboards, even JD-S may be seen as involved in mining matters.
The Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde has urged the ruling BJP government to take legal action against the ex-CM to recover the losses he incurred to the state govt, in 2005-06. Dharma Singh had ignored his state secretary’s advice to deny permission for export of iron ore worth Rs.23 crores, when he was CM Lokayukta’s advice to the then Governor Rameshwar Thakur on Dharam Singh had been rejected by the latter. While Thakur was transferred, Dharam Shifted to New Delhi and Lokayukta had resigned under pressure by BJP’s inaction but was persuaded by LK Advani to continue as Lokayukta. Recently Justice N. Santosh Hegde (Lokayukta) took 15 days of bed rest as advised by doctors. There is a lot of pressure on him even to day while conducting the iron ore probe when the state govt does not co-operate.
The present CM Yeddyurappa can still recover Rs.23 crore from Dharam Singh, but he is hesitating, says Justice Hegde who also trained his guns against Eashwarappa for his comments on LA.