Karnataka Assembly adjourned over Reddy brothers mining operations

Bangalore, July 14 (ANI): The leaders of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) stalled the proceedings of the Karnataka Assembly for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, as they continued to press their demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the Reddy brothers mining operations.

They have been demanding a CBI inquiry against Karnataka Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and the State's Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy.

Speaker Kombarana Ganapathy Bopaiah had to adjourn the House till Thursday.

After the adjournment, the MLAs continued their sit-in protest inside the assembly premises.

Despite all these, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa maintained his stand and said there is no question of a CBI inquiry; rather the Lokayukta (Ombudsman) would look into the matter.

The Reddy brothers are facing allegations of illegal mining of iron ores by encroaching upon a large chunk of forestland in the area causing huge damage to the environment.

Earlier, the apex court had appointed a Survey of India (SoI) panel to conduct a detailed mapping of the three mines of the Reddy brothers. The SoI submitted its report, saying mining should not be allowed till a fresh demarcation of the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border is complete.

The SoI panel had given its nod to Reddy's 68.5-hectare iron ore mine, asserting that there was no major encroachment. The panel said that of the 68.5 hectares, only 66 hectares could be mined.

The remaining 2.5 hectares were set aside for road construction. The panel found the Reddy's mining all 68.5 hectares. (ANI)