New Delhi, November 21: A high-powered probe panel set up by the supreme court (SC) has recommended immediate ban on illegal mining on the Andhra-Karnataka border. The central empowered committee (CEC) was set up to probe allegations of massive violation of environment laws by owners of Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), the powerful Reddy brothers of Bellary in Karnataka.
Though Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy maintains there is no illegality in the mining, the CEC report indicts the Andhra Pradesh government, saying the state functionaries’ effort was “to cover up illegal mining by OMC” in areas outside those approved in mining lease claims.
The apex court’s green bench will consider the committee’s report next week.
CEC is highly critical of the Andhra government’s conclusion that OMC was not involved in any illegal mining in forest areas. “The government’s conclusion suffers from serious defects and inconsistencies and is not at all in conformity with the approved mining
leases”.
The panel also takes to task the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s government as it notes, “The objectivity, fairness and impartiality expected from a state government is shockingly lacking here and does not inspire confidence.”
“There are substantial differences and serious discrepancies in the mining lease boundaries determined and those fixed now by the state forest department,” CEC says.
CEC feels “without doubt, there existed unallotted forest area between three mining leases of OMC, Bellary Iron Ore Private Limited and YM Sons, wherein illegal mining has taken place”.
“All mining activity, including the transportation of already mined material from all the six mining leases should remain suspended till the demarcation of boundaries is done,” CEC member MK Jiwrajka said.
Just a day before, the Andhra Pradesh high court had issued an order permitting OMC to continue mining. CEC suggests that demarcation of mining boundaries be done in a time-bound manner by a team consisting of senior representatives of Survey of India, Union ministry of environment and forests and Andhra Pradesh mines, forest and revenue departments.
The apex court had ordered the CEC probe on a writ petition by Tapal Ganesh of Bellary who alleged illegality in mining by the Reddy brothers.
–Agencies–