From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Sep 22: Karnataka's Forests Minister C P Yogeshwar, who is allegedly involved in the controversial scam of Megacity Developers and Builders Ltd, Bangalore as its Managing Director, claimed that the charges made against him by Opposition leaders on the findings of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SIFO) of the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs as ''nothing but politically motivated.”
''I am clean and there is no personal case against me,” the minister contended while answering questions from reporters.
Yogeshwar accused the former Chief Minister and JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy as the person behind a adverse media campaign against him to settle score after the defeat of the JD(S) in the recent bi-elections in Chennapatna.
The Kumaraswamy-led JD(S)-BJP coalitiongovernment had ordered a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) probe against him, Yogeshwar claimed.
The investigation recommended the criminal prosecution of Yogeshwar for alleged corporate fraud.
The SFIO, which investigated complaints against the controversial Megacity (Bangalore) Developers and Builders Ltd. of which Yogeshwar is managing director, filed its report on July 30.
The Union Corporate Affairs Minister and former Karnataka Chief Minister M Veerappa Moily had also contended that Yogeshwar cannot continue as minister in view of his alleged involvement in the Megacity Builders fraud, a demand already made by both the Congress and JD(S) leaders.
However, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, soon after the second round of expansion of his cabinet when Yogeshwar was inducted in the ministry, had clarified that the allegations against Yogeshwar were examined by the State Advocate General and the latter had reported that there was no legal problem.
Govt to take over Kodagu 'Jamma Male' and 'Bane' lands
In view of the shrinking of the forest cover in the State, the State Government has decided to take over 'Jamma Male' and 'Bane' lands in Kodagu district, which were under cultivation for several decades by a few families, the Minister said.
The Department officials have been asked to prepare a note to be placed before the Cabinet meeting.
The department has decided to take over 18,750 acres of 'Jamma Male' and 'Bane' lands by paying compensation to families. A sum of Rs. 60 crore would be required to pay compensation of Rs. 50,000 per acre to about 70 families.
About 8450 acres of 'Jamma Male' and 'Bane' lands are located in Virajpet forest range, 2300 acres in Talacauvery, and 8,000 acres in Madikeri range.
'Jamma Male' (or Malai) and 'Bane' lands granted to certain Coorg (Kodava) families for growing cardamom by the then rulers of Kodagu in 1900. Originally, lands belonged to the Forest Department.
After the government has assured of providing adequate compensation, he said several families, which have been cultivating cardamom, coffee and other crops in lands for several decades, have came forward to handover lands to the Forest Department.
The issue was discussed at a meeting attended by the Chief Minister and State Legislative Assembly Speaker K G Bopaiah, who hails from the district, and officials of the Forest and Revenue departments on September 14, Yogeshwar said.
He said the department has been facing shortage of staff to prevent encroachment of forest lands. A decision has been taken to recruit 262 forest watchers and 120 range forest officials (RFOs).
Asked about heritage tag for the Western Ghats, the Minister said UNESCO team has visited the State and discussed the issue. No final decision has been taken on the issue.
The former Forests Minister C H Vijayashankar had opposed the heritage tag for the Western Ghats.