The total amount paid by him and four others are indicated as Rs 1,11,12,394, for procuring fake permits.
However, it is not indicated for whom or for which company these five persons got the fake permits.
In the documents seized by the Lokayukta police wing at the Belekeri port, it was found that Sajan had paid money ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5,00,000 for getting illegal permits/forged permits/documents. A chart indicating the bribe paid has been enclosed in the U V Singh report.
Sajan’s entry in his document are as follows: Rs 50,000 (on 6.12.09); Rs 2,00,000 (3.12.09); Rs 8,73,400 (15.2.09); Rs 10,00,000 (20.12.09); Rs 19,35,200 (21.1.10) are among the 23 entries.
Yariswamy and Mahesh have paid Rs 1,15,000 for Andhra Pradesh permit purpose (21.11.09), while Laxmi Balaji Traders have paid a bribe of Rs 1,30,000 (9.02.10), Ramu (Rs 2900), Waheed Rs 10,000 (23.1.10). Wahid has also paid Rs 22,500 in two instalments on 12.1.10.
The report says the search and seizure made by the Lokayukta police at the port reveal that forged and fake permits purportedly issued by the Mines and Geology Department of Andhra Pradesh were used for illegal transport of iron ore stolen from Hospet, Sandur, Bellary and other taluks. Use of such permits was the main reason for illegal iron ore transport in the Bellary-Hospet-Sandur region, and also from the surrounding districts.
The report also deals separately on the forged and fake permits used for transport of iron ore to the Belekeri and Karwar ports by various agencies and persons.
Postings
The Singh report says the main reasons for unbridled illegal ore mining during 2009-2010 were the postings of favoured officials in strategic posts of police, mines, forest, revenue and other departments.
Because of this, a fearless atmosphere prevailed in Bellary district.
“The law of the land was pushed to a corner and only an oral whip was in force to allow the loot of natural resources. Mafia-type operations were the routine practices of the day,” the report says.
In late 2009, the government tried to post some upright officers of integrity. Unfortunately, they were transferred in a fortnight. This act of withdrawal has allowed corruption to raise its ugly head and become a monster, almost uncontrolled.
Intelligence
The report says that on careful examination of records (electronic), it is observed that a well-equipped intelligence network was deployed by the ‘bosses’ involved in illegal operations where their people were placed at strategic positions all along the major routes to Krishnapatnam, Belekeri, Karwar and other ports.
The trusted personnel were given motorbikes, mobile phones and money. Rooms were taken on rent on the routes for them to stay and watch. Regular payments were made to such deployed personnel as seen in the seized records. “The government machinery/administration was totally paralysed and kept in the ICU,” the report says.
