Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has remained non-committal on the controversy raging over the proposed bauxite mining in the eastern ghats of Visakhapatnam district and said it is for the Centre to take a decision on the issue as it relates to mining policies.
He was responding to a question posed by presspersons at a press meet here on Wednesday evening, at the conclusion of his three-day tour of the district. He said the issue was under the purview of the Union Government and certain changes in the mining policy were in the offing. “We have to wait and see,” he said.
Union Tribal Welfare Minister Kishore Chandra Deo, who represents Araku (ST) constituency where the bauxite reserves are located, has expressed himself categorically against the proposal for bauxite mining and earlier this year went to the extent of revoking clearances given for bauxite mining, invoking special powers.
The proposal was first mooted by Y.S Rajasekhara Reddy Government and it was agreed that the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) would mine bauxite ore and supply it to two private companies — ANRAK and Jindal group — setting up alumina refineries in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts.
Public hearings were conducted for the setting up of the alumina refineries and in spite of stiff opposition from Girijans, opposition political parties and environmental groups, ANRAK began work on the refinery at Makavaripalem in Visakhapatnam district.
After the announcement of the Union Tribal Welfare Minister, pressure has been mounting on the State Government to cancel the agreements with the two private companies for supply of bauxite ore and put a seal on the controversy. However, the State Government seems to be in no hurry to do that, judging by the statement of the Chief Minister.