Centre defends action taken against Obulapuram Mining Company

By S A Ishaqui

Hyderabad, Dec. 5: The Centre on Saturday defended its action to stop mining operations of the Obulapuram Mining Company before the AP High Court.

The assistant solicitor-general, Mr A. Rajasekhar Reddy, while arguing the case before Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, contended that it cannot be said that the Union of India lacks jurisdiction to pass the order to stop mining operations and transportation of the iron ore already mined.

He sought an adjournment by stating that the additional solicitor -general of India would appear in the matter to defend the Centre’s stand. Mr Parasaran, senior counsel of Supreme Court, appearing on behalf of Obulapuram Mining Company contended that the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) had no jurisdiction to advise the state the measures to be taken on the basis of the report. “In fact, the application for its impleadment is pending before the SC in a case filed by a rival lessee and hence it cannot be taken as warrant by the CEC to proceed with the inquiry into the matter,” he added.