ANANTAPUR: Despite the Union Environment and Forests Ministry’s orders that licenses of five mining companies should be suspended in D Hirehal mandal till the demarcation was done by the Survey of India, Obulapuram Mining Company and other companies owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy are continuing their mining activity.
Mining activity was at its peak even today in the areas of OMC and others. Hundreds of trucks carrying thousands of tonnes of iron ore were seen coming out of the mines.
The orders for the suspension of mining licenses was issued by the Centre on April 22 and they had no effect on the OMC or other companies owned by Janardhan Reddy.
Bellary Iron Ore Company stopped the mining activity six months ago, while Y Mahabaleswarappa and Sons company stopped mining operations on the day Union Environment and Forests Ministry issued the suspension orders. Anantapur Mining Company was acquired by the OMC on lease. Of the five companies, three companies were under Janardhana Reddy.
Having no regard to the suspension orders, Janardhan Reddy’s companies were going ahead with the operations round the clock and transporting thousands of tonnes of iron ore. Besides illegal mining, the OMC was also indulging in mining in the reserve forest area.
The managements of both Bellary Iron Ore Company and Y Mahabaleswarappa and Sons company have filed a complaint in D Hirehal police station stating that the OMC was mining in the lands earmarked for the two companies.
They charged Janardhan Reddy with threatening them and employing private armed gangs to terrorise them.
Since Janardhan Reddy was close to Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, no action was initiated against the OMC or its sister companies, it is alleged.