YSR government flouted norms: CBI
Hyderabad: In a startling revelation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the State government has violated the procedures, took only two applications and gave precedence to the Obulapuram Mining Company Private Limited (OMCPL) which is owned by the family members of former Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, for mining iron ore in Anantapur district.
In its remand report to the CBI special court here, the CBI said that during the course of investigation, it came to light that the State government has issued a gazette notification on July 12, 2004 (less than two months after Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy became Chief Minister). 'The State Government has circumvented the laid down procedures, gave precedence to OMPCL over another firm Vinayaka Mining Company and granted 68.50 hectares, which is known as Anthar Gangamma Konda (AGK) mine.
A GO was issued on June 18, 2007 and the lease deed was signed within a day. It was also decided to allot 25 hectares to AP Mining Development Corporation, but this was kept pending due to litigation,' the report said. The report further said that OMCPL conspired with the state government officials in securing the aforesaid lease which was obtained with the sole purpose of justifying their illegal mining activities.
'The company was mining in some other area and bringing the same to the stock yards of this mine and transporting under the permits issued by the Mines department officials in Anantapur,' the CBI claimed.
It also said the records collected and the evidence available in the form of statements made by witnesses and officials showed that there was no mining activity in AGK mine and the iron ore was illegally brought from other areas in Karnataka but shown as if it was excavated from AGK mine.
The report also said that the company has mined 28,90,000 MTs of ore between 2007-08 and 2009-10 and the quality of the ore was shown to be 63-65 per cent ferrous content. 'However, the samples of the iron ore from the AGK mine was sent to reputed laboratories and the results indicated that the quantity of iron ore was very low and was not of commercial grade,' the CBI report said.
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News Posted: 7 September, 2011
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