BANGALORE: Terming the private complaint lodged against him in Lokayukta Court on the alleged irregularities committed in awarding the mining licenses during his tenure as Chief Minister as ‘an attempt of character assassination’, Union External Affairs Minister S M Krishna stoutly denied having issued mining licenses for any wrongful gain. In a statement issued on Sunday, Krishna said that former Lokayukta N Santhosh Hegde who had conducted a detailed inquiry into the issue of mining from 1999 to 2010 has not made any indictment on the alleged illegal issue of mining licenses violating the Forest Acts during his tenure as the Chief Minister.While claiming that he had not issued any mining license during his tenure, he, however said, “Even if such licenses were issued, it would have done by the competent authority of the Mines and Geology Department.”“In view of the above, there is no wrongful loss to the government. Consequently there can be no wrongful gain,” Krishna said. Informing that all the decisions with regard to issue of mining license were taken in a transparent manner, he stated, “When a gazette notification has been issued, it is abundantly clear that nothing which has been done in secret.”The clarification was being given to avoid misconception that ‘silence on my part would give rise to speculation’, Krishna stated.It may be recalled that the Lokayukta Court, acting on a private complaint, has directed police to file an FIR against three former CMs, including S M Krishna.
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