Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to suspend illegal mining operations on the AP-Karnataka border.
The move comes weeks after Opposition parties and the central empowered committee (CEC) criticised the way the state government handled illegal iron ore mining activity in the area.
According to sources in the government, an in-principle decision has been taken on suspending the mining operations in six mines on the AP-Karnataka border.
The government will also impose restrictions on the transportation of the iron ore.
The Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), which is owned by tourism minister Gali Janardhana Reddy, operates three of the six mines facing heat.
Though a formal order on suspending the mining operation is yet to be issued, the government is said to have taken a decision based on the advice of the empowered committee.
Though the CEC had submitted its report enlisting the deviations and unlawful mining on the border, the government was taking cover under the guise of non-receipt of the report or CEC's recommendations.
However, sources said the CEC on Tuesday had formally written to the state chief secretary advising him to suspend all mining activities in these six mines and also impose restrictions on the movement of the iron ore that has already been excavated and stored for transportation.
Andhra Pradesh chief minister K Rosaiah along with mines minister B Srinivas Reddy held a meeting with the officials of mines and forest department.
While it was decided in the meeting that the government should formally seek a legal opinion on the issue, it was also decided to suspend the mining and iron ore transportation activities in the six mines.
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