By Team Mangalorean Bangalore

BANGALORE, November 18, 2009: Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the CBI will also investigate all operations of the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), owned by the Reddy brothers, in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Rosaiah ordered investigation into the alleged irregularities in iron ore mining of the Reddy brothers in Anantapur district.

Mr Kharge said Karnataka will also come under the jurisdiction of the CBI inquiry ordered by the Andhra Pradesh Government into the company’s alleged irregularities in mining.

Speaking to reporters after inauguration of the Co-operative Housing Bhavan here on Wednesday, the senior Congress leader and former KPCC president said that the terms of reference of the CBI probe made it very clear that it will take into account all issues, including the company’s operations in Bellary in Karnataka and Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh. The company has received permission from the AP government to conduct mining in about 75 hectares and two firms owned by the Reddy brothers already mined 37 lakh tonnes of iron ore.

“The Congress has been asking for an inquiry for several years. I am happy it has finally happened now,” he said.

He said ''an inquiry by CBI would expose illegal mining activities being carried out fearlessly in the border districts, looting the natural resources." Mr Kharge said the inquiry by CBI would also clear the allegations against some ministers in the Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka and doubts in the minds of the people.

Earlier, Mr. Kharge said that the centre would introduce an amendment to free the cooperative sector from political interference.

The Karnataka State Co-operative Housing Board should come up with a plan to construct 15 lakh houses in the next five years to provide shelter to all the homeless. He and other Ministers from Karnataka had recently met the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and appealed him to provide more houses in Karnataka under Indira Awas Yojana since many had lost homes in floods, for which the Prime Minister had shown positive response.

Mr. Kharge said that the first priority of politicians should be taking care of the people’s needs rather indulging in blame game.

Housing Co-operative Board Chairman and former Minister G.T. Deve Gowda sought greater autonomy to housing societies to allow them to function more meaningfully. 

Replying to a question, he said he had no information about the sanction of IIT for Gulbarga but he was aware about sanction of 30 acre land for Central University Medical College and Nursing Hospital at Gulbarga.

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