Bellary: The five member Survey of India team
has conducted a survey of Obulapuram Iron Ore areas in Andhra
Pradesh and Karnataka to verify charges of illegal mining in
reserve forest areas in the two states.
The team, headed by Additional Survey General Ashok Kumar
Padha and Deputy Director V N Mishra, conducted the survey to
fix boundaries for Antaragangamma Konda Mine, a release issued
by the team said.
The Supreme Court had directed the agency to conduct the
survey following allegations of encroachment.
The team inspected border maps of revenue and forest
officials of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and a sketch of the
68.5 hectares of the company.
A satellite survey was also conducted by establishing a
central point in Bellary to determine boundaries of the
Obulapuram Antaragangamma Mines Company.
The officials would submit a report on the re-survey to
the Supreme Court on April 9, after which a decision on
conducting a re-survey on other iron ore mines or continuing
mining operations shall be taken.
The team was appointed by the Supreme Court to verify
charges of illegal mining in reserve forest areas in Andhra
Pradesh by Karnataka`s minister-cum mining magnates Reddy
brothers owned Obalapuram Mining Company (OMC).
A division bench of the Supreme Court on March 22 had
stayed mining activity by OMC owned by Reddy brothers and two
other companies.
It also appointed a committee to verify the charges with
a direction to submit its report in two weeks.
PTI
