Social Welfare Minister Nakka Ananda Babu on Tuesday said there was no link between quarrying and the gunning down of a sitting MLA and former MLA by the Maoists in the Araku valley.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the Maoists had killed the two as they were against development taking place in the Agency areas. The question of tribal people opposing quarrying also did not arise. The YSR government issued GOs relating to bauxite mining in the agency areas.
The present government after discussing the issue in the Assembly decided not to go ahead with it. The government was committed to provide all facilities and infrastructure such as road and internet connectivity in tribal areas. In fact, a lot of development took place in the recent past. The Maoists didn’t like it. They wanted to prove their presence, hence gunned down the leaders. “What is the connection between metal quarrying and killing of an MLA?”
‘Pelli Kanuka’
He has stated that the State government has decided to provide an opportunity to the people, who could not avail the benefit of Chandranna Pelli Kanuka, to submit their applications under the scheme.
The applications can be uploaded from October 1 to 31.
The scheme was launched on April 20. The couple who were married between April 20 and September 30 can apply for the same, he said. He said that the government took this decision with a view that none should not be deprived of the benefits of the prestigious scheme.
