Mining – Congress Alleges Large-Scale Illegal Mining in Andhra Pradesh
Mining – The Congress party held a demonstration outside the Nellore District Collector’s office, raising serious allegations about illegal mining operations and corruption in parts of Andhra Pradesh.
Protest Targets Alleged Mining Irregularities
The protest, led by senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Chinta Mohan, focused on what the party described as unchecked illegal mining activities across several regions. Party workers gathered in significant numbers, voicing concerns about the environmental and economic impact of these operations.
Mohan claimed that mining-related corruption has reached alarming levels under the current coalition government. According to him, the state is allegedly losing nearly Rs 1,000 crore annually due to unlawful extraction and mismanagement of mineral resources.
Specific Areas Highlighted in Allegations
During the demonstration, Mohan pointed to multiple locations where he alleged illegal mining is actively taking place. He mentioned silica extraction near Gudur, quartz mining in the Venkatagiri region, and unauthorized sand mining in the Satyavedu constituency.
He further claimed that these activities are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern. As per his estimate, the value of corruption linked to these operations could be as high as Rs 300 crore every month. These figures, he argued, reflect the scale at which natural resources are being exploited without proper oversight.
Questions Raised Over Administrative Oversight
A key concern raised by the Congress leader was the role of local authorities in these alleged activities. Mohan questioned how such large-scale operations could continue without the knowledge of district officials and law enforcement agencies.
He suggested that either there is a lack of monitoring or a deeper systemic issue allowing these practices to continue unchecked. The party demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and accountability from officials responsible for regulating mining activities.
Demand for Inclusive Resource Allocation
In addition to raising corruption concerns, Mohan also highlighted issues related to resource distribution. He accused the government of favouritism in allocating mining rights and urged authorities to prioritize marginalized communities.
Specifically, he called for silica and quartz mining leases to be granted to unemployed individuals from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). According to him, such measures would promote fairness and provide economic opportunities to underrepresented groups.
Concerns Over Employee Welfare and PRC Delay
The protest also touched upon broader governance issues, including the pending Pay Revision Commission (PRC) for government employees. Mohan noted that around six lakh state employees have been waiting for a revised pay structure for nearly eight years.
He demanded that the government form a committee within ten days to address the issue and provide clarity on salary revisions. The delay, he said, has caused dissatisfaction among employees and needs urgent resolution.
Criticism of Amaravati Development
Mohan also expressed concerns about the development trajectory of Amaravati, the state’s planned capital city. He criticized the current direction of development, suggesting that it risks losing its intended purpose.
Drawing a comparison with the Mannavaram BHEL project, which was inaugurated during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but later became inactive, Mohan warned that Amaravati could face a similar outcome if proper planning and execution are not ensured.
The Congress party stated that it will continue to raise these issues until concrete action is taken. The protest reflects growing political pressure on the state government to address allegations related to mining, governance, and public welfare.