New Delhi, July 21 (ANI): Union Law Mnister Salman Khurshid on Thursday refused to comment on the charges of rampant corruption against Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa referred by state Ombudsman (Lokayukta) Justice Santosh N Hegde in his report.
While interacting with the mediapersons on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi, Khurshid said that even though he has come across reports in newspapers about the issue, he opined that Justice Hegde should take up the matter with the Karnataka government.
"I have seen the reports that have appeared in the media over it. But how they have come, whether they are official reports or illegitimate, till the time, this is not known, it would be difficult to comment on it. And, if he, (Justice Santosh N Hegde) has some problems or issues ,then I think he should tell about it to the (Karnataka) state government only because he is working under their ambit and the state government is the one related to this issue," he said.
The Lokayukta conducted enquiry into the cases of illegal mining and distribution of government land.
Hegde had indicted Yeddyurappa on Wednesday (July 20) on charges of rampant corruption in the state. In his report, Hegde mentioned that Yeddyurappa was indirectly involved in an illegal mining scam and his close family members were directly involved in it.
Hedge called scam of illegal mining as huge and added that, within a span of 14 months, scam worth Rs 1800 crores has already occurred in the state.
Hegde, who is also the former judge of Supreme Court of India, will submit his report to the Chief Secretary on Friday.
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa had rejected Justice Hegde's earlier report on illegal mining, submitted in December 2008, and ordered formulation of another committee to conduct the investigation.
Khurshid further criticised veteran social activist Anna Hazare's anti-corruption crusade in federal Human Resource Minister Kapil Sibal's constituency in New Delhi.
"Kapil Sibal has not expressed any problem on this issue. According to him (Sibal), he has knowledge about his constituency and the people from his constituency keep giving a feedback to him. And if some stranger (social activist Anna Hazare) comes and talks to voters of that area, whose support is available to Kapil Sibal, then it is that stranger's own decision. Kapil Sibal does not have any problem with it and he has full confidence in his voters and supporters for whom he works," said Khurshid.
In order to garner public supporting favour of the civil society version of Lokpal (Ombudsman) Bill, veteran social activist Anna Hazare along with his team initiated a 'referendum' on the law in Chandni Chowk, the Lok Sabha constituency represented by Sibal on Thursday (July 21).
According to media reports, the volunteers of 'India Against Corruption' ( IAC ) visited ten localities in Chandni Chowk.
They also distributed a two-page questionnaire having eight questions to voters in the constituency to gather feedback from the electorate.
The meeting on the Lokpal Bill on June 22, concluded with divergent views on six key issues.
The key issues of differences were on inclusion of the Prime Minister, higher judiciary and Members of Parliaments within the purview of the Ombudsman committee and the mode of selection and removal of its members.
Two sets of drafts, - one by the government and the other by the civil society representatives were circulated amongst political parties and the proposals would be forwarded to the federal cabinet for the final drafting of the bill.
Graft has long been a part of daily life, but a series of recent scandals - which include violations in granting telecom licences that cost the country $39 billion in lost revenue - are unprecedented. (ANI)
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