Oppn Demands CBI Probe Into Border Row

Oppn Demands CBI Probe Into Border Row 21 Jan 2009, 0407 hrs IST, TNN BELGAUM: Illegal mining and alteration and encroachment of state's boundary rocked the legislature council on Tuesday, with the opposition members unanimously demanding a CBI probe. Referring to the Lok Ayukta report, both Congress and JD(S) members maintained that state's boundary in Bellary district had been altered and encroached upon by illegal miners. Besides a CBI probe, both parties wanted the government to suspend mining operations till the central agency completed the probe. The members expressed concern about reckless and illegal mining and listed their ill-effects like reckless exploitation of mineral resources and damage to forest wealth. JD(S) floor leader M C Nanaiah said 32 km in length and 0.5 km in width of state's area in Bellary had been annexed to Andhra Pradesh. The accusations, though indirect most times, by many members, including Nanaiah, leader of the opposition V S Ugrappa and K C Kondaiah (Congress) was pointed at the Reddys. Nanaiah didn't want the persons concerned (read as Reddys) to be included in any decision making process as it would lead to `conflict of interest'. Citing the Lok Ayukta report, Ugrappa said that the rock marks of the boundary had been destroyed due to mining and transportation. He said that Obalapuram Mining Company (owned by tourism minister G Janardhan Reddy) in Andhra Pradesh had encroached into the state's boundary and made transport network here. After assuring chairman that he would not indulge in talks like he did on Monday (he had used unparliamentary language and later apologized) and speak calmly Janardhan Reddy defended himself. After saying that he is the owner of Obalapuram Mining Company, he defended himself by saying that an all-party team, comprising 40 MLAs and 11 MPs from TDP, CPI, CPM and BJP in Andhra Pradesh, had visited the site of the company's operation and given a clean chit to him. Declaring his commitment to protect natural resources, state's boundary and environment, he said after the Lok Ayukta gave his report, the revenue department had written to the Centre twice asking for a joint survey of the state's boundary in Bellary. "We are ready for a survey by the Survey of India. We are ready for satellite survey with latest equipment," he stated. After four-and-a-half hour debate on the issue, the members refused to listen to floor leader V S Acharya, but insisted that chief minister make a statement in the house. They trooped into the well and prevented Acharya from speaking. After noisy scenes, the chairman adjourned the house till Wednesday morning.

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