Hyderabad: CPI-M general secretary
Prakash Karat on Wednesday said the issue of alleged illegal mining
in Andhra Pradesh by Karnataka minister G Janardhana Reddy,
would be taken up at the national level.
"As you know, the country is suffering from price
rise, there are serious problems of drought and floods in
various parts of the country. There are also serious issues
like mining problem here in Andhra Pradesh. There is the
question of the mining mafia. All these policy matters, we
will be taking up at the national level," Karat told reporters
here after a meeting with Telugu Desam chief N Chandrababu
Naidu.
The TDP, CPI-M, CPI and Lok Satta have joined hands in
a fight against the alleged illegal mining by Obulapuram
Mining Company (OMC) owned by Janardhana Reddy, in Anatapur
district.
Meanwhile, Naidu said the K Rosaiah government's
decision to seek a CBI probe into the issue was not enough and
the mining leases given to the company should be scrapped to
put an end to the loot of mineral wealth.
"We sought scrapping or at least suspension of the
mining leases. The iron ore being illegally transported should
be seized. A CBI inquiry should be conducted and then a
coordination committee comprising officials of all departments
should be set up to establish the extent of loss to the
exchequer. We have made this demand," Naidu said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 21:35