When YS Rajasekhar Reddy was the Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, there was a lot of discussion on the mining process in Obulapuram. Now, the same thing is happening in AP, during the term of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, with respect to Laterite mining.
In the forests of the Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts, huge amounts of bauxite and laterite reserves are found, and the AP government had found itself in the midst of controversies previously, with respect to Bauxite mining. It was said that the AP government had received a lot of investments from an organisation named Ras Al Khaima, which was reportedly given the contract for the said mining. Due to political reasons, the mining of Bauxite didn’t take place, but started once Jagan became the CM. While it is being alleged that Bauxite mining is now taking place in this forest area, the AP government is arguing that Laterite mining is taking place, and not bauxite.
The AP government is saying that it allowed for the mining of Laterite, by following the orders of the high court of the state, which were issued in 2018, as it can’t go against the court’s ruling. However, others say that the AP government failed to consult with the gram panchayats, as mentioned in the court’s order, thus misusing the court order. The government has also said that it has given permission to mine only 5,000 tonnes of Laterite in the area and not more.
A special highway has been constructed, and a stockyard has been constructed, for the transport and storage of this laterite, by the AP government. With the oppositions not convinced with the AP government’s attitude towards the issue, they are said to have visited the mining area and inspected the entire thing. It is being said that the mining taking place in this area is very similar to that of the situation at Obulapuram, due to which the oppositions are saying that this laterite mining could as well be Bauxite mining in reality. Laterite and bauxite look highly similar, and only experts are able to distinguish between these two minerals, which has made it difficult to make any solid allegations.
Now that several allegations are being made against the YSRCP government, it is high time that the government takes action against any extra mining – going beyond 5,000 tonnes – to avoid further blame, and to prove to everyone that the mining taking place in the area is laterite mining and not bauxite mining.