The External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has verified that no mining license was issued during his tenure as the Chief Minister for any illegal mining activity. This was after the Karnataka Lokayukta Court instructed the police to investigate charges of illegal mining licences issued by Mr. Krishna, for unlawful gains, while he was the Chief Minister. A private complaint had been lodged with the Lokyukta against Mr. Krishna and two other Chief Ministers, namely H.D Kumaraswamy and N. Dharam Singh, under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly issuing illegal mining licences for unjust personal gains.

SM Krishna added that an investigation has been conducted by the former Lokyukta Santosh Hedge into the matter of the mining licences issued during the period between 2010 which took into consideration his tenure as the Chief Minister and that there was no accusation of any kind against him. SM Krishna expressed his confidence in the judiciary and stated that he is confident that the judiciary will clear him of all charges.

The External Affairs Minister SM Krishna dismissed the complaint as one that is aimed at character assassination and that if any licences were issued they would have been issued by the appropriate authority competent issue such licences which in this case is the Department of Mines and Geology.

SM Krishna affirms that no mining license was issued during his term

Report by Radhalakshmi R