The Andhra Pradesh Government's move to permit bauxite mining in the eastern ghats of Visakhapatnam district has triggered a row, with all the political parties opposing it including some of the local leaders of the ruling Telugu Desam Party. The environmental activists and NGOs have always been opposing the move. The Maoists active in the eastern ghats on the Andhra-Orissa border have also threatened that they would disrupt the move. 

The Government order permitting the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation to take up bauxite mining in the area was issued earlier in the week. On Saturday, a total bandh was observed in the agency area, as it is locally known, against the move of the Government to permit bauxite mining. All the political parties supported the bandh call. The Telugu Desam Party's ally, BJP, also supported the bandh call.

The proposal to take up bauxite mining in the picturesque Araku valley in the agency area of Visakhapatnam district, a popular tourist spot, is two-decade- old. The proposal was first mooted by the TDP Government in the late nineties when Chandrababu Naidu was the Chief Minister. There was stiff opposition to the move from all quarters and he quickly gave up the idea.

Subsequently, when the late Dr. Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy of the Congress Party assumed charge as the Chief Minister, the proposal was revived. Agreements were signed with the Anrak group and the Jindal group for setting up alumina refineries, with the understanding that the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) would take up bauxite mining in the area and provide the ore to the refineries. The Anrak group has built a refinery at Makavaraipalem village near Narsipatnam in Visakhapatnam district.

There was a huge row over the issue when the Congress Government was in power and even the Telugu Desam Party then supported the anti-bauxite agitation and gave a promise that it would bury the proposal once and for all, if voted to power.

After assuming charge in the State in 2014, the Telugu Desam Government appears to changed its stance on the issue and has been making efforts to revive the proposal slowly, fearing public reaction. Last week, the Government issued the order for bauxite mining, revealing its intentions.

The local TDP leaders are hard-pressed to explain the change in party stance and are requesting the party leadership to reconsider the issue and give up the move.

Meanwhile, the CPM and other left parties are taking active part in the agitation against bauxite mining. They are mobilising the Girijans in the area to oppose the move.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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