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The Chief Minister, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, asserted that he was not anybody's puppet. He expressed concern over impact on Supreme Court's order of banning mining activity in Bellary and its possible impact on State revenues.
Speaking at a meet-the-press programme organised by Press Club of Bangalore and Bangalore Reporters Guild, he said: “A good man cannot be a puppet in the hands of anybody. I will not conduct myself as a puppet.”
“I will reply to them through my conduct. I am running the administration on my own and in my own way,” he added.
Mr Gowda said he is here to stay for long and would take everybody together. “I have big plans and will not be Chief Minister for two years but for the next five years. “Development will happen and continue to happen as done by the previous Chief Minister,” he added.
Referring to Lokayukta report on illegal mining, Mr Gowda said “I am in no hurry to take action. I have constituted a three-member committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary and will be taking action on receipt of the recommendations. Officials, who have misused their official powers and people involved however big they are will not be spared.”
Referring to Bangalore Metro Rail launch, the Chief Minister said “I have invited the Prime Minister and he has agreed to officially flag-off the city's mass rapid transport in September.”
Mining ban impact
The Chief Minister expressing concern over the Supreme Court's order of banning mining activity in Bellary said it is taking its toll on the local economy and as well on the State's revenues will suffer due to the ban on mining in district. The district contributes nearly Rs 4,000 crore to the State exchequer annually.”
Mr Gowda said the Supreme Court's judgment on the issue would be accepted and obeyed but added: “We are a little bit worried because nearly one lakh people have lost their jobs all over Karnataka.” “These are things we are little bit worried (about). But certainly we will look into how to manage all this,” he added.
Talking on the State's finances, Mr Gowda, said it is sound. Direct tax collection in April—July this year had gone up to Rs 14,358 crore, from Rs 11,950 crore in the same period last fiscal, reflecting a 20 per cent growth.
On July 29, the apex court ordered suspension of mining and transportation of iron ore from Bellary district taking note of CEC's report which said most of the miners in the region were indulging in illegal mining causing considerable environmental damage.
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