OMC exploited Gali’s proximity to YSR: Naidu

Hyderabad, Nov 16: The Opposition Telugu Desam Legislature Party Leader N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday alleged that Obulapuram Mining Company (Omc) owned by the Karnataka Tourism Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy took advantage of his proximity to former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and explored iron ore in excess of mining areas allotted under Obulapuram mines.Naidu who sat on dharna at the State Assembly,along with all-party leaders on Monday,alleged mineral wealth worth thousands of crores of rupees was being looted by the Omc.He demanded that the government scrap the mining leases sanctioned to Omc and ordered a CBI probe into the entire issue.

The TDP leader said the time had now come to initiate action against the Minister and a close aide of YSR,namely,the Director of Geology and Mines and other officers who had helped the Minister.The Communist Party of Indian state secretary K Narayana and CPM state secretary BV Raghavulu demanded re-allocation of the mines to the public sector Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.Leaders of Telugu Desam,the CPI,the CPM and the Lok Satta participated in the dharna.Tension prevailed as MLAs and MLCs tried to enter the Assembly premises to garland the statue of Gandhi before taking part in the sit-in.

As the police and the security forces of the Assembly foiled their attempt, the members resorted to stage a dharna on the road close to the House shouting slogans against the government and disrupting traffic.They also argued with the police and the security forces.Earlier,the all-party team submitted a memorandum wherein they listed out irregularities allegedly committed by the Omc.