OMC got mining lease when Naidu was CM: Jagan tells CBI

Hyderabad, Nov 4: YSR Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, who appeared before CBI today (Nov 4) in connection with probe of illegal mining case against Obulapuram Mining Company which is owned by former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, said former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had granted mining lease to the company in 2002.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Kadapa MP said the agency had called him as a witness, after one-and-half years of probe into the case.

"I was called to give my opinion in the case, the (same) way CBI had sought the opinion of Sabitamma (state Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy, who was mining minister in his father's cabinet). They had not called me as an accused. I requested CBI to probe the role of Chandrababu Naidu, as he had issued government order (GO) allotting 64 acres of land to OMC in 2002," Jagan said, waving copies GO papers.

According to Jagan, Naidu had earlier allotted mining lease for 64 acres of land to Rammohan Reddy in 1996, and later transferred it to OMC. The Kadapa MP said he wanted to know why Naidu had not been questioned by the agency so far, and said the GO should be made a basis for questioning Naidu.

Jagan arrived at CBI office at Koti here at around 10.30 am, and came out at 1.15 pm. The agency had earlier said that Jagan would be questioned only in connection with OMC case, and not about the disproportionate assets case against him.

CBI sources said it was probing alleged nexus between Jagan and Janardhana Reddy. OMC is accused of violating mining norms in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

According to CBI, clearance for mining leases to OMC was given during the tenure of former Chief Minister Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan's father, in an unusual haste.

PTI