Bengaluru, Oct 23: Former Prime Minister H DDeve Gowda and ex-Chief Ministers H D Kumaraswamy andSiddaramaiah welcomed the Delhi HighCourt order on Wednesday granting bail to Congress leader D K Shivakumar in a money laundering case, filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
As the news about Shivakumar getting bail broke, his supporters and Congress workers celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets in Ramanagara, Belagavi, Tumakuru, Kanakapura, Mandya and near his Bengaluru residence.
"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar has increased common man's trust in country's judicial system. I welcome the court's decision," Gowda tweeted.
Shivakumar, a seven-time MLA, was arrested by the EDon September 3 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
"Getting bail from Delhi high court is happy news," Siddaramaiah told reporters at Bagalkote.
He alleged that Shivakumar was being politically targeted.
"...let them (ED) investigate, but sending to jail duringinvestigation is not right. On proving to be guilty one can besent to jail, but sending while the investigation is still onis not right. Vengeance politics is not right..," he added.
The 57-year-old Shivakumar is under judicial custody and presently lodged in Tihar jail.
Both the Congress and Shivakumar have claimed he was beingtargeted by the BJP-led government at the Centre by "misusing" investigating agencies.
"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar is a matter of happiness. On Monday I had met Shivakumar and tried to boost his courage, and expressed hope about him getting bail," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
The JD(S) leader who met Shivakumar at Tihar jail on Monday had said that the Congress leader was "bold" to fight "vengeance politics".
Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy, both Vokkaliga strong men, have been bitter political opponents in the old Mysuru region,until they came together for the formation of Congress-JD(S) coalition government, after 2018 assembly polls.
Shivakumar was a key minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet and played a major rule in the stability of the coalition government until it collapsed in July, following resignation of several MLAs of the two parties, eventually leading to installation of the BJP government.
His arrest had lead to widespread protests, especially in Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and other parts of old Mysuru region.
It had even taken a caste colour with thousands of people belonging to the Vokkaliga community taking out a rally recently in Bengaluru protesting the arrest and expressing solidarity with him.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bengaluru: The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government on Friday approved two key measures that are expected to fetch the exchequer at least Rs 10,818 crore from the mining sector.
The Cabinet approved the Karnataka (Mineral Rights and Mineral Bearing Land) Tax Bill, which will enable the government to levy taxes, with retrospective effect, on mineral rights and owners of mineral-bearing lands. This move is estimated to fetch Rs 4,713 crore, as reported by the Deccan Herald.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, while briefing the media, clarified that the tax would be in addition to the royalty already levied on mined minerals.
"At present, only the miner pays the royalty, but the landowner also has to pay the tax now. For one tonne of iron ore mined from land, a tax of Rs 100 will be levied on the owner of the land," Patil was quoted as saying by the publication, noting that the rate will vary depending on the type of mineral.
When asked whether the move was aimed at generating additional income for the state, Patil mentioned that they were collecting money that was due to the government.
The Cabinet's decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming that states have the legislative right to impose taxes on minerals.
The proposed tax rate will range from Rs 20 to Rs 100 per tonne for different minerals across all mine categories, the report added.
In another decision, the government has decided to give a one-time settlement (OTS) option for mining violators, particularly those who mined beyond their licensed areas. The state is expecting to collect penalties amounting to over Rs 6,105 crore under this.