Minister for Mines R.V. Sujaya Krishna Ranga Rao has ordered closure of all quarries in the district till the inquiry ordered by him into the death of a quarry worker on Sunday is completed and it is known whether or not the quarry owner had obtained permissions from the government and observed all norms for mining.
Following reports that Pilla Adinarayana (45), a quarry worker at Garudabilli village in Bondapalli mandal, got crushed under a boulder while breaking a stone at the quarry, the Minister visited the site on Monday and also consoled the bereaved family at the Gajapathinagaram government hospital.
Compensation
He said that the quarry management had agreed to pay compensation to the kin of Adinarayana as he had been working there for the past six years. The government would also pay him compensation under the Chandranna Bima, he said.
Inspections
The Minister ordered mining officials to ensure facilities for workers, safety measures at quarries and step up inspections to avert recurrence of such incidents.
Condemning the incident, the Minister said that he would not hesitate to order closure of all quarries, even if it hindered development activities across the State. He told mining officials to visit quarries immediately on receiving information about a mishap.
Vizianagaram Revenue Divisional Officer J.V. Murali, Assistant Director (Mines) S.K.V. Satyanarayanam other revenue and police personnel were present.
