The Hindu Business Line : Mining lease issue rocks AP House

Hyderabad, Aug. 6 The issue of continuation of mining operations by Obulapuram Mining Company and four others despite the Centre’s objections rocked the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

This led to the suspension of about 77 Opposition members, including those belonging to the Telugu Desam and Telangana Rashtriya Samithi.

The issue was raised by the Opposition Leader, Mr. N.Chandrababu Naidu, who cited a series of letters addressed by the Union Environment and Forests Ministry ordering suspension of the mining permission granted to OMC and four other companies.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, said that as the Centre had withdrawn its orders on the suspension of mining leases, the companies were allowed to continue operations. But he was silent on the Centre’s directive to initiate action against the officials involved in the grant of licences.

The matter of Obulapuram mines and other leases was raised during the Question Hour which led to heated arguments between the ruling party and Opposition members.

The ruling party members said as the matter was now before the Supreme Court , it would be better to await the verdict.

However, the Opposition members were steadfast in demanding a House Panel to probe the irregularities in the granting of mining leases.

They cited several instances where house panels were constituted even when the matter was in the courts.

More Stories on : Minerals | Politics | Andhra Pradesh

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