vIndianz.com (Dec. 01, 2009) — The Union government on Monday perched forest clearances to six iron ore mines in Andhra Pradesh, together with those owned by Karnataka tourism minister Gali Janardhana Reddy. The environment ministry has too advised the Andhra Pradesh government to prohibit mining in the state.
The progress comes three days after the state government perched mining operations at the six mines in Anantapur district, awaiting orders from the Supreme Court on the statement of its central empowered committee. Reddy challenged the judgment in the Andhra Pradesh high court, inquiring the authority of the state government in suspending the mining operations.
The committee, which looks into matters of forest clearances, had in a statement submitted on 19 November advised that mining in the state be perched till the mining areas were demarcated. It too suggested that transport of by now be excavated or be perched.
In its letter to the Andhra Pradesh government, the Congress party-led Union government said it had perched clearances to Bellary Iron Ores Pvt. Ltd, Obulapuram Mining Co. Pvt. Ltd (OMC) and four mines next to them under the Forest Conservation Act.
Reddy is recognized to be close to the family of Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, known usually as YSR, a Congress leader and the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh who died in a helicopter crash in September. The Karnataka tourism minister had played a key part in a latest revolt against the BJP government in Karnataka headed by B.S. Yaddyurappa.
“We are estimating the size of the unlawful mining to be at least Rs10, 000 crore over the last few years and we believe the role of family members of YSR in extending support to the mining irregularities of OMC,” Naidu had told reporters on 19 November.
Naidu demanded that the Union government order a multidisciplinary investigate into the allegations against OMC, together with probable encroachments into neighboring mines, damage of boundaries among different mines and the boundaries of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, infringement of foreign exchange regulations, and money laundering.
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Further Reading- YSR’s brother among 39 AP ministers sworn in – Sify
- Naidu’s health worsens, shifted to ICU – IBNLive.com
- Aircraft tyre burst: Two Karnataka ministers had a close shave – The Hindu
- Probe illegal mining in Bellary: SC – Hindustan Times
- New survey, demarcationof mining leases ordered – The Hindu
- New survey, demarcationof mining leases ordered – The Hindu
- YSR’s brother resigns as minister – NDTV.com
- TDP to go ahead with no-trust motion against AP govt – Expressindia.com
- TDP to go ahead with no-trust motion against AP govt – Expressindia.com
- Kiran Kumar Reddy completes first 100 days in office – NDTV.com
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1 Comment
Such violation of environmental laws destroys forest,ground water resources. the damage is not alone to the people but for future generations. The people who have done damage as stated should be forced to restore the environment by replanting trees and recharging the underwater resources.