AP, Centre out to finish me, says Reddy

“The CEC report is part of the conspiracy hatched by the Union and the Andhra Pradesh governments to terminate my political career. The chairman of the committee, Jiwrajka, has submitted false the report out of prejudice and partisanship,” Reddy said at a press conference here on Friday.

A month after the death of Andhra chief minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy in 2009, the CEC submitted a report accusing the OMC of irregularities in mining, Reddy said. When challenged, the Supreme Court set aside the report. Later, a team from Survey of India conducted a comprehensive survey and gave a clean chit to the Company.

The CEC had given similar report against the National Mineral Development Corporation, a government enterprise, which the SC rejected subsequently.

“Now I have sought 15 days’ time to challenge the report and I hope justice will be done,” Reddy said.

The minister said the earlier owner of the OMC should have renewed the lease in 1982 but did not do so. The lease was renewed in 1997 for a period of 20 years in accordance with relevant laws.

“The report has reckoned the period from 1982 to 2002 for its recommendation whereas I got the lease in 2002, which lapses in 2017,” he contended.

Claiming that the Mines and Geology and the Forest Departments have “wrong information and erroneous maps” on the mines owned by him, Reddy said OMC was being faulted for the errors on the part of the government.

While six mines in the area are facing allegations, two have been let-off with fine and action has been recommended against the rest, which indicates mala fide intention, Reddy alleged.