Reddy hits out at detractors

Also, he termed Rahul Baldota of MSPL, the biggest mining company in Bellary, a ‘mines’ Veerappan,’ and the leaders of the Opposition parties “jobless politicians”.

Reddy read out the findings of Supreme Court-appointed Joint Survey Committee report claiming that neither the OMC nor any of its sister concerns were involved in illegal mining activities. “The report has proved beyond doubt that the Reddy brothers are not engaged in illegal mining, and all allegations levelled against us were only aimed defaming us,” he said.

The SC had directed the OMC on December 17, 2009 to stop all mining operations following allegations of encroachment in the Bellary reserve forest area. Reddy, further quoting the report, said the OMC has three mining leases and its sister concern Anantapur Mining company has one lease in Andhra Pradesh, bordering Karnataka. Not even an inch of land has been encroached upon in any of the mining areas on lease. The company is yet to secure possession of three hectares of land in the mining areas on lease.

The Tourism Minister in turn alleged that his mining areas have been encroached upon by the Bellary Iron Ore Company and Y Mahabaleshwara and Sons.

The SC-appointed committee could not locate the total area occupied by these two companies as they had removed boundary pillars. The pillars in the OMC mining areas were found to be intact, he added.

However, the minister parried a question when asked on the finding in the report that the OMC had occupied 2.4 hectare area in excess in one its mining leases.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who openly came out in support of Janardhana Reddy said the SC judgement has exposed the Opposition’s false allegations against Reddy brothers.

Reddy also welcomed the SC direction to fix the inter-state boundary within two months, as it would help stop illegal mining.