Members of Legislative Council demanded for the second consecutive day on Friday a thorough review of the mining policy and revision of royalty rates to realise what was due to the State from mining companies.
Participating in the short discussion on the Mining policy, Mr. Puvvada Nageswara Rao (CPI) said that while demarcation of borders, review of State licences, was ordered by the Supreme Court in the wake of alleged irregularities in Obulapuram Mining Company, State should not be complacent and curb exploitation of public wealth by few individuals. The mining mafia with their money power were making a mockery of democracy and threatening elected governments.
P. Sudhakar Reddy (Congress), appreciating action initiated by Rosaiah government against erring Mining and Forest Department officials who were hand in glove with private mining companies, said the government would not spare any one including Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhan Reddy. In Bayyaram mines located in tribal areas of Khammam, non-tribals were mining iron ore and transporting it illegally and causing pollution.
‘Nationalise mines'
Ch. Sitaramulu (CPI-M) demanded nationalisation of mines. With enormous demand for minerals now, government itself should take up mining activity and spend the revenue for completion of Jalayagnam, Indiramma housing, etc.
Instead of burdening common man by increasing VAT rates to mop up revenue, it should recover the amount owed by mining companies.
Jupudi Prabhakar(Congress) said mineral wealth belonged to State and it should be utilised judiciously for public good.
House adjourned
The House was adjourned before Mines Minister B. Srinivasa Reddy responded as the remark by T. G. K. Reddy (Congress) assailing the Opposition for irregularities committed by Chandrababu Naidu government in awarding licences, led to a furore.
