The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to ask the Union government to order an inquiry by the Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) into the alleged illegal mining of iron ore by Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) in the Bellary reserve forest of Anantapur district.

OMC is owned by Karnataka tourism minister, Gali Janaradhan Reddy.

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The state government’s decision in this regard comes in the wake of an agitation launched by four Opposition parties — Telugu Desam Party (TDP), CPI, CPI (M) and Lok Satta - demanding a CBI probe into the activities of OMC. Even a senior Congress leader from the state, V Hanumantha Rao, has sought a CBI inquiry into the issue.

Last week, the state government constituted a three-member committee of senior officials of the forest department to probe all allegations raised against OMC and submit a detailed report within 10 days. It also asked the industries department to depute senior officials to look into the aspects of alleged irregularities in mining operations and submit a report in 10 days. However, the government has decided to seek a CBI inquiry even before the reports were submitted.

OMC has been accused of illegally excavating iron ore in areas not allotted to it. It has also been charged with laying an additional road in the reserve forest area in addition to the existing road in violation of forest laws.

The TDP alleged that the state government had remained a mute spectator to the “illegal” activities of OMC because of Janaradhan Reddy’s links with the family of former chief minister, YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

On the other hand, Janaradhan Reddy denied any wrongdoing by OMC and challenged TDP president and former chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, to prove the latter’s charges against his company.

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