Ban on OMC mining to continue

New Delhi, Jan 4: An interim order banning mining and transportation of iron ore by the Obulapuram Mining Company was extended by a bench of the Supreme Court here on Monday.The order was first issued on Dec 17 last year after the Andhra Pradesh High Court allowed the OMC, owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister Gali Janardhana Reddy and his brother Gali Karunakar Reddy in Anantapur, to continue mining and transporting iron ore.The ban order was further extended on Monday since the AP government and the OMC moved the Supreme Court to hear the matter instead of the High Court.

Attorney General GE Vahanvati, representing the AP government, objected to the AP High Court’s order allowing the OMC to conduct mining activities even as a committee appointed by the apex court and a panel appointed by the state government brought out irregularities like encroachment of forest areas by the OMC for its mining activities.Mr Vahanvati informed the bench that OMC extended the mining area granted to the company through a lease by encroaching forest area by shifting the boundary pillars.