Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Nov 26: In an action that is certain to deliver a terrible blow on the activities of the mining barons, Janardan Reddy, Karunakar Reddy and Sriramulu, ministers in Karnataka government, the Andhra Pradesh government, acting swiftly on a letter addressed to the chief secretary of the government by the Central Empowered Committee, has ordered for the suspension of mining activities and also the transportation of the ore already mined, till further orders. The suspension is applicable to six mines located in Anantapuram district on the state’s border with Karnataka.

Out of the six mines now singled out, all of which are located in Obalapuram and H Siddapuram villages of Anantapuram district, three belong to Obalapuram Mining Company owned by the trio. Anantapuram Mining Company, also owned by the Reddy camp, has contract for mining in another iron ore mine. Bellary Mining Company and Y Mahabaleshwarappa and Sons hold a mine each.

It may be recalled, that the Central Empowered Committee deputed by the Supreme Court, which went into a complaint filed by Tapal Ganesh of Tumati Mining Company of Bellary againsst Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC), had said that the OMC had indulged in illegal mining as well as destruction of the state’s border markers.