Congress leader and former MP K.C. Kondaiah has said that he will move an application requesting the Supreme Court to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into illegal export of iron ore through other ports in the State.
Addressing mediapersons in Bellary on Monday, Mr. Kondaiah said the recent order of the Supreme Court covered only the illegal transportation of around 50 lakh tonnes of iron ore from Bellary district to Belekeri port for export.
“Along with the investigation into export of ore from Belekeri port, there is a need for investigation into iron ore extracted illegally from various mines and also that collected in the form of “hafta” from mine owners in Bellary district, and exported through other ports including Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Goa, Mangalore, Krishnapatnam and the like, through ‘benami’ companies and unregistered firms,” he said, adding he would submit an application in this regard before the Supreme Court.
Mr. Kondaiah claimed that as an MLC, he was the first to raise his voice against illegal mining in the district allegedly by the Reddy brothers by submitting a representation to the Governor. He said he had also submitted details to the Lokayukta on all aspects of how ore was extracted illegally and also through “hafta” and was exported with the help of unregistered firms. “All my efforts have culminated in the form of Supreme Court ordering the CBI to investigate the matter and submit its report”, he claimed.
On the charge that funds meant for development had been misused during the regime of the Reddy brothers in Bellary city and also in the district, Mr. Kondiah said a thorough judicial inquiry was needed to bring the truth to light.
