Plea to allow mining rejected

HYDERABAD: Justice G.Chandraiah of the High Court on Tuesday refused to grant an interim order to allow Rakshana Steels Limited to explore iron ore in Bayyaram area of Khammam district.The company is allegedly owned by Anil Kumar, son-in-law of former chief minister the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy.The judge was dealing with a petition by the company challenging the state government’s move to withdraw an earlier order which reserved Bayyaram for mining by the AP Mining Development Corporation (APMDC).The APMDC entered into an MoU with Rakshana Steels for mineral extraction.As there was a severe protest from tribals, the government cancelled the allotment to APMDC.Rakshana Steels then moved the High Court. While refusing to grant an interim direction, the judge posted the case to August for final hearing.