Naidu says CM afraid to take action

Delhli, Dec. 2: The Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday accused the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah of being “afraid” to act against illegal mining in the state.

Mr Naidu who is in the national capital to meet other political leaders on the issue of illegal mining accused the Chief Minister of “hiding facts”.

Mr Rosaiah, who is also in the national capital, has shot back saying that neither was he afraid of anyone nor was he harassing anyone.

Mr Naidu had questioned why the CM was not taking action against the mining firms, including the controversial Obulapuram Mining Company, owned by the Reddy brothers despite orders from the Union environment and forest ministry.

“I had posed a number of questions to the Chief Minister. He has not replied to even one of them. Why is he not ordering a CBI probe into the issue? Is he afraid?” the TD leader questioned.

Mr Rosaiah said, “I am not afraid of anybody. I constituted a committee to look into the allegations of illegal mining.

The committee found that a certain part of mining operations were in Karnataka. Since it involves two states, I have ordered for a CBI inquiry into the issue,” he said adding that the CEC recommendations on illegal mining issue was with the Supreme Court.

Mr Naidu also demanded that the CM should ask ministers and officials involved in the mining scam to resign.