Telugu Desam Party politburo member Dadi Veerabhadra Rao on Saturday appealed to Governor E S L Narasimhan to intervene in the bauxite mining leases in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam.
Talking to media persons at Raj Bhavan after a delegation of TDP members submitted a memorandum to the Governor, Veerabhadra Rao said that Narasimhan can intervene in the mining lease issue under the 5th schedule of the Constitution without seeking prior permission from the Cabinet, and protect the interests of tribals.
Mining bauxite would earn the state government a royalty of about Rs. 70 crore, and the tribals a benefit of Rs. 20 crore, but private companies involved in mining would make Rs. 4,000 crore as profits, he pointed out.
Mining of bauxite in the agency areas would rob tribals of their livelihood and cause huge damage to the environment due to pollution, he said.
He said that the delegation explained to the Governor that officials have given their nod to mining permits without seeking the Cabinet's approval.
However, the Cabinet gave its nod to mining leases after the 14-month period, he complained.
He said that the Governor gave the TDP's appeal a patient hearing and assured the delegation that he would look into the issue soon.
Mahila wing president Shobha Hymavathi was also present in the delegation of TDP. (INN)
filed in:E S L Narasimhan, TDP, Governor, Bauxite Mining, Visakhapatnam, Agency Areas, Tribal Welfare