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Saturday, October 29, 2011

Iron ore exports under-invoiced

Sat,29 Oct, 2011

NELLORE: The CBI team that investigated iron ore exports by the Obulapuram Mining Company owned by Gali Janardhan Reddy through the Krishnapatnam port has reportedly found several irregularities.

According to sources, it found that 2,000 trucks ferried ore from Obulapuram in Anantapur district to the port in Nellore district daily, each carrying 40-55 tonnes of ore as against the permitted load of 15 tonnes.

However, CBI officials were tight-lipped on how many companies were involved in iron ore export from Krishnapatnam between 2007 and 2009 and what OMC’s share was. They simply said investigation was complete and a charge sheet would be filed in a day or two. It is learnt that the CBI found that 42 lakh tonnes of ore was exported from the port by 80 companies since 2007 but only 14 lakh tonnes was recorded.

It seized some crucial documents during its visit to the customs office after questioning its assistant commissioner K Ranga Rao on Thursday.

Not satisfied with the answers given by the port authorities, the CBI has issued notices seeking a written reply.

CBI joint director V V Lakshminarayana met SP BV Ramana Kumar Thursday and discussed road accidents involving iron ore trucks on the national highway from Kadirinaidupalle in Marripadu to the port that lies in the district.

As per police records, 200 people died and 500 were maimed in 350 accidents involving iron ore lorries during 2007-09.

sourced IBN Live.in

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