The Hindu reported that Karnataka state government is actively contemplating deputing a team of senior officials of the Mines and Geology Department to probe into the allegations on violations of mining lease areas against the Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Karnataka Tourism Minister.

As per report Mr Balineni Srinivas Reddy Mines and Geology Minister hinted at deputing a team on Thursday to verify the charges and submit a report at the earliest.

This will be the third team of officials to visit Obulapuram in the Bellary reserve forest area after separate teams of the Forest and Industries Departments which are already touring Anantapur district.

The report added that a three member study team deputed by the Government arrived for inspecting the mining sites and studying the illegal mining activity, if any in Obulapuram iron ore mines. The team was greeted by slogan-shouting youth of Telugu Yuvatha who staged a dharna in front of the DFO’s office in the city raising slogans in support of cancellation of mining licenses to the controversial companies.

The OMC, which has been mired in controversy, recently was in the limelight yet again after the District Forest Officer Mr Kallol Biswas questioned the alleged irregularities and issued show cause notices to it.

The Telugu Desam lost no time in demanding action against the company for looting the State’s resources and TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu demanded cancellation of the mining leases given to the company and seizure of all the records.

(Sourced from Hindu)