Survey on mine lease areas: SC

New Delhi,Dec 3:The Ministry of Environment and Forests expressed the view before the Supreme Court that it favors a survey to measure the area on lease to mining companies in the state. It suggested that the proposed survey be carried out by the Survey of India department.Appealing to the Supreme Court to pass any such orders as may be just and necessary under the circumstances of the case, the Ministry accused the Andhra Pradesh government of not providing adequate security to the team from Survey of India to carry out survey work.

The ministry’s views came through an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in which it stated that the survey will help clear the allegation of encroachment over the mining areas.The affidavit was filed after about two weeks after the Apex Court appointed Central Empowered Committee said that the Obulapuram Mining Company Private Limited which is owned by Gali brothers G Janardhana Reddy and G Karunakara Reddy was carrying out illegal mining operations in Bellary Reserve Forest area.The state government had last week suspended mining operations at six iron ore mines in three villages in Anantapur district.