In view of the stiff opposition to bauxite mining proposal in the tribal areas in the Eastern Ghats of Visakhapatnam district from different quarters, Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Minister R Kishore Babu said here on Sunday that the State Government had not taken any decision on the issue yet and the recent statement of the Chief Minister at the World Tribal Day celebrations here was only indicative.

The minister told reporters here on Sunday morning that the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the World Tribal Day Celebrations had only mooted the proposal, but no decision to start or permit mining in the agency area had yet been taken. “The Government is committed to the welfare of Girijans and will not take up any activity that would affect their quality of life,” he said.

The tribals have expressed their resentment to the announcement of Government to go ahead with bauxite mining by participating in large numbers at the recent meetings organised by the CPI(M), CPI and the CPI(Maoists) in the agency area. On Saturday night Maoists organised a meeting to build up opposition to the move and over a thousand tribals participated and passed a unanimous resolution to oppose any move to take up mining in the hills.

Taking note of the meetings, the minister said that there was no move to push through the proposal for mining and alleged that the organisers were trying to mislead the Girijans. He asserted that the Telugu Desam Government would not do anything against the wishes or interests of Girijans in the area.

comment COMMENT NOW