Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi / Bangalore, Jan 15: The Supreme Court refused on Thursday January 14, to provide relief to Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) against a ban placed on its operations of mining and transportation of iron ore from its mines located in Anantapuram district of Andhra Pradesh bordering Karnataka. The Andhra Pradesh government had placed the above ban, based on a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommendation.

Senior advocate Mukum Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of OMC, had earlier tried to convince the court that the CEC had violated its authority by recommending to suspend mining activities of OMC. He argued that the committee was only to submit its reports to the Supreme Court and it was improper for the Andhra Pradesh government to act upon its report and enforce the said ban.

The bench headed by Chief Justice, K G Balakrishnan, felt that the Andhra Pradesh High Court would be in a better position to decide on the issue of state boundary dispute. It asked the parties concerned to file objections if any over the CEC report, in the High Court. It also observed that the state government, in the meantime, can go ahead with the task of determining its border with Karnataka.