Bangalore: Karnataka's Reddy brothers, the mining barons who are ministers in the BJP government in the state, have received welcome news from the Supreme Court.
After a five-month ban, their Obalapuram company, which owns three mines along the Karnataka-Andhra Border, has been told it can get back to work, but not within 150 metres of the Karnataka border.
Janardhan and Karunakara Reddy are ministers in BS Yeddyurappa's cabinet in Karnataka. Mining in the reserve forest areas along the border of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh was stopped five months ago after the Andhra government took the Reddy brothers to court, accusing them of illegally mining in reserved forest areas. (
Read: Andhra government's plea against Reddy's mines |
Supreme Court suspends Reddys' Andhra mining ops)
A committee appointed by the Supreme Court has been asked to examine this and other allegations of encroachment.
The Supreme Court asked for a detailed survey which would study the leases of six mines (three of them owned by the Reddys) and examine whether mine-owners had deliberately moved pillars and fences to gift themselves more land. (
Read: The rise of the Reddy brothers)
The matter is further complicated by the fact that Andhra and Karnataka are disputing their own borders in this area.
The committee appointed by the Supreme Court suggested that all mining be stopped till these issues were resolved. (
Read: Setback for Reddys, panel says stall mining)
The Reddys argued that this was unfair because the process of settling disputed areas was likely to be a lengthy one. So, they wanted mining to be allowed in areas which are not being contested by the two states.
The court has also asked for the survey of the disputed area along the Karnataka-Andhra border to be completed within two months.
Also read: Men who fought Reddy brothers attacked