Bangalore: Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde on Thursday said a ‘mafia-like’ network existed in Bellary where the Reddy brothers, who are ministers, have influence and illegal mining there was like a “single window corruption system”. A day after he submitted his report on the mining scam which has led the BJP leadership to ask for Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa’s resignation, Hegde also said his government’s track record towards his reports and recommendations was “very, very poor”.
“Very, very poor”, Hegde, who is retiring on August two, told PTI when asked about the government response in general to his reports and recommendations. “As compared to other States, the Lokayukta Act is much more powerful in Karnataka but all this (act in Karnataka) is recommen-datory (in nature). It (the state government) never accepted or implemented”, Hegde, a former Supreme Court Judge, said.
He said many of his suggestions made in his interim report on illegal mining submitted in December 2008 to “straighten up the system” was not acted upon.
In the latest “export-centric” report, Hegde said the Lokayukta has uncovered a “mafia-like thing” network in Bellary and adjacent districts. “You compulsorily have to give 40-45 per cent of your produce and they (big people) will take the entire responsibility of transportation to whichever destination you choose”, he said. (PTI)
