CPI(M) opposes bauxite mining in AP

The CPI(M) has condemned attempts by the Andhra Pradesh government to take up bauxite mining in the Eastern Ghats.

The party will will strongly oppose the move as it will ruin the environment and disrupt the livelihood of the tribal population, senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said here today.

She told the media that she had toured the area on Monday and addressed a public meeting. She had found that the tribal population was totally opposed to the mining proposal as it would have a disastrous impact on their lives.

“The Girijans in the area have a constitutional right over the resources in the scheduled area and it cannot be taken away by the State government. Without their consent, bauxite mining is unconstitutional,” Karat said.

‘Untenable proposal’ She said the State government's contention that a government agency, AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC), would undertake the mining and give the ore to the refineries run by the Jindal group and Anrak was also not tenable. She said the State government should bury the proposal by scrapping the GO issued recently.

“Following public uproar, the State government has kept it in abeyance, but it should be scrapped forthwith,” she said.

Karat alleged that both the TDP and BJP were fooling the people of Andhra Pradesh by denying the promised special status category to the State. “The promise was made at the time of bifurcation of the State and the BJP was also a party to it. It should be honoured,” she said.

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