N. Santosh Hegde: Difference between revisions

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==Major anti-corruption cases and investigations as Lok Ayukta of Karnataka==
==Major anti-corruption cases and investigations as Lok Ayukta of Karnataka==
The Lok Ayukta had exposed major irregularities in mines in Bellary, including those owned by [[Obulapuram Mining Company]] and by [[G. Karunakara Reddy]], [[G. Janardhana Reddy]] and [[G. Somashekara Reddy]] who were ministers in the [[Government of Karnataka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Reddys-have-the-last-laugh-national-mines-regulator-has-both-hands-tied/592902/|title=Reddys have the last laugh, national mines regulator has both hands tied|accessdate=2010-06-24|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121093722/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Reddys-have-the-last-laugh-national-mines-regulator-has-both-hands-tied/592902/|archivedate=21 January 2012}}</ref> He has expressed concern about [[illegal mining in India|illegal mining]] taking place in state of Karnataka which have deep repercussions for ecology and to exchequer of state.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/14/stories/2009071461270100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717100950/http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/14/stories/2009071461270100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-07-17 |title=Illegal mining: Lokayukta slams Government|accessdate= 2009-09-07 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |date=2009-07-14}}</ref> A report constituted by the Lok Ayukta uncovered major violations and [[systemic corruption]] in iron-ore mining in Bellary. There were violations in the allowed geography, encroachment of forest land, massive underpayment of state mining royalties relative to the market price of iron ore and systematic starvation of government mining entities. The damage to public interest was so serious that he recommended banning all exports of iron ore and limiting iron ore production for captive production of iron and steel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410mining_lease.asp|title=Santosh Hegde Interview: 'Mining Lease Is Used As James Bond’s Gun'|work=Tehelka|access-date=30 June 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911193605/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410mining_lease.asp|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410MiningLease_fullINT.asp|title=Santosh Hegde Full Interview: 'Mining Lease Is Used As James Bond’s Gun'|work=Tehelka|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120919080810/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410MiningLease_fullINT.asp|archivedate=19 September 2012}}</ref>
The Lok Ayukta had exposed major irregularities in mines in Bellary, including those owned by [[Obulapuram Mining Company]] and by [[G. Karunakara Reddy]], [[G. Janardhana Reddy]] and [[G. Somashekara Reddy]] who were ministers in the [[Government of Karnataka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Reddys-have-the-last-laugh-national-mines-regulator-has-both-hands-tied/592902/|title=Reddys have the last laugh, national mines regulator has both hands tied|accessdate=2010-06-24|work=[[The Indian Express]]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121093722/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Reddys-have-the-last-laugh-national-mines-regulator-has-both-hands-tied/592902/|archivedate=21 January 2012}}</ref> He has expressed concern about [[illegal mining in India|illegal mining]] taking place in state of Karnataka which have deep repercussions for ecology and to exchequer of state.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/14/stories/2009071461270100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717100950/http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/14/stories/2009071461270100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-07-17 |title=Illegal mining: Lokayukta slams Government|accessdate= 2009-09-07 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India |date=2009-07-14}}</ref> A report constituted by the Lok Ayukta uncovered major violations and [[systemic corruption]] in iron-ore mining in Bellary. There were violations in the allowed geography, encroachment of forest land, massive underpayment of state mining royalties relative to the market price of iron ore and systematic starvation of government mining entities. The damage to public interest was so serious that he recommended banning all exports of iron ore and limiting iron ore production for captive production of iron and steel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410mining_lease.asp|title=Santosh Hegde Interview: 'Mining Lease Is Used As James Bond’s Gun'|work=Tehelka|access-date=30 June 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911193605/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410mining_lease.asp|archive-date=11 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410MiningLease_fullINT.asp|title=Santosh Hegde Full Interview: 'Mining Lease Is Used As James Bond’s Gun'|work=Tehelka|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120919080810/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne030410MiningLease_fullINT.asp|archivedate=19 September 2012}}</ref>
However, motive and hidden agenda behind Hegde's unusual intensive and invasive action against Reddys, are their political rivalry with Reddy's even during his father's tenure, See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K._S._Hegde. And many news articles reported the same during the period of investigation against Reddys. Adding to it is and culmination of communalism against telugus, favouring other kannadiga mining barons.  Hegde did not have nabbed any of the kannadigas indulging in illegal mining. Origin of this fight in Bellari is the divisive politics adopted by then central government dominated by north Indians, in the division of state boundary. Earlier Ballari district was part of Rayalaseema, a region in today's state Andhra Pradesh. Mining license allocation policy from Central govt was based on Political Nepotism rather than merit. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballari_district.


==Controversies==
==Controversies==
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[[Category:Indian anti-corruption activists]]
[[Category:Indian anti-corruption activists]]
[[Category:Senior Advocates in India]]
[[Category:Senior Advocates in India]]
[[Category:Lokayuktas]]
[[Category:Ombudsmen in India]]
[[Category:Corruption in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Corruption in Karnataka]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:Activists from Karnataka]]
[[Category:Activists from Karnataka]]
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