Srilakshmi implies Sabitha had a hand in mining

HYDERABAD: Seeking bail on Wednesday, arrested IAS officer Y Srilakshmi, now in CBI custody, implied that the then mines and geology minister Sabitha Indra Reddy too had a part in the issue of two controversial GOs -- 151 and 152 -- which allowed Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) to mine iron ore in Anantapur district and ship it overseas.Srilakshmi, while moving the bail petition, maintained that she did no wrong; only after then mines and geology minister approved the file relating to the sanction of mining leases to OMC did she issue the two GOs. The IAS officer said she would abide by whatever conditions the court might impose for her bail. She pleaded that her case be considered in view of her ill-health and the fact that she was the mother of two daughters.Srilakshmi, now family welfare commissioner, was arrested by CBI on Nov. 28 for allegedly participating in a criminal conspiracy with the other accused persons and for abusing her official position to favour OMC.The officer maintained that even before she took over as secretary in the Industries Department on May 17, 2006, the state government had sanctioned provisional mining lease to OMC (Nov 4, 2005) and communicated this to the company to help it secure clearance from the forest department and the mining bureau. The provisional grant of a mining lease by the state government took place a year prior to her appointment as secretary, Industries, she contended. Srilakshmi, without mentioning the name of Sabitha Indra Reddy, said: “The file is duly processed to the minister concerned and after her approval only order was passed. I was only a signatory to the draft GO and the GO issued subsequently in the name of the secretary. After she was asked to send the names of companies shortlisted, she did so but they were the ones that had been processed by the director of Mines and Geology and her office (before she took over).” Srilakshmi also said the state government had no powers to issue mining leases and that only the Centre had the powers to approve them and stipulate conditions. As regards the alleged wilful omission of  words “captive mining” from the GOs, the officer maintained the contention was contrary to the evidence that the CBI has unearthed. The CBI court asked the CBI to file a counter to Srilakshmi’s petition.