JOIN USComplaint was filed before Chief Conservator of Forest (Central) in Bangalore on October 24. Men and machinery of OMC encroached upon VMPL leasing area on October 24, crossing the inter-state boundary.
VMPL has said that OMC encroached upon the area to illegally transport iron ore mined in Obalapuram and Siddapuram villages in Andhra Pradesh to Karnataka.
VMPL is in possession of mining lease area of 137 ha in Vannahalli village granted by Karnataka government. Reddy Veeranna, a mine owner, had moved the Court against the State government’s grant of land to VMPL.
A single judge bench of Karnataka High Court dismissed Reddy Veeranna’s petition. But a division bench reversed the judgement of single bench.
Complainant Yuvaraj Kadadi of VMPL said the company was still in possession of mining lease area, as they have time to move Supreme Court against the division bench’s ruling till November 25.
VMPL has said OMC has violated the Forest Conservation Act and rules under provisions of Environment Protection Act. It has demanded the Central ministry to take appropriate action against the company.
Defamation notice
After issuing a series of show cause notices, Anantapura DFO has also served a defamation notice on Obalapuram Mining Company.
According to the notice OMC MD Srinivas Reddy, Raidurg MLA Ramachandra Reddy at a press conference held in Bellary on October 31, alleged that DFO Kallol Biswas had demanded a bribe of Rs 5 crore from the company.
The DFO issued show-cause notices complaining illegal mining to the company only after he was refused bribe. They also alleged that the officer had colluded with BIOP, another mining company and had accepted a bribe of Rs 10 crore to issue notices to OMC.
Refuting charges levelled against him in a press conference, the officer had asked the company representatives to respond to his notice within three days.
He also said that he would submit a complaint to the CBI and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Welfare Commission, as he is a ST, within the next 15 days.