Bauxite GO put on hold

Vijayawada: Taking a U turn, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet is learnt to have decided to put on hold the GO pertaining to bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam district.

It may be mentioned here that the government had recently issued a GO according permission to divert 1,212 hectares of forest land in Chintapalli and Jerrila of Narsipatnam Forest Divisions in Visakhapatnam for lease for bauxite mining in favour of the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation.

The conditions laid down by the government include that the legal status of the forest land being diverted shall remain unchanged as well as the compensatory afforestation over non-forest land in the extent to the forest land being diverted shall be raised and maintained by the state forest department from the funds already provided by user agency.

Bauxite mining has been staunchly opposed by the tribals in Visakhapatnam for fear of losing their habitat. Various political parties have also voiced their support to the cause. The opposition parties too have made this as a stick to beat the government. In the backdrop of this, the government is said to have spent a considerable amount of time on the issue during the six-hour long Cabinet meeting.

Forest minister Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy told the Cabinet that neither he nor the CM was informed before issuing the GO. The Cabinet is understood to have discussed the strong opposition from the tribals and the Opposition parties as well and the likely political impact it might have on the government’s image. It was felt that it would be better if the GO was put on hold.

Another contentious issue of illegal sand mining also came up for a through scrutiny and it was decided to make necessary amendments. A detailed announcement on the issue is expected to be made by the government on Tuesday. Among other decisions taken on Monday were to implement loan waiver scheme for weavers.

It was also decided to scrap the Rs 6000-crore drinking water project sanctioned to Chittoor district by the Kiran Kumar Reddy government in the undivided Andhra Pradesh. The Cabinet also discussed the Weavers Debit Redemption Scheme (WDRS) that would cost the State exchequer about Rs 125 crore. In the wake of the emerging flood scenario causing havoc in Chittoor,

Nellore, Prakasam and Kadapa districts, the Cabinet decided to establish control rooms and help lines in the affected districts and to take up rescue and rehabilitation for the people. It has also decided to strengthen the cyclone shelters places located along and abutting the state’s shore line.

Discussing extensively on the spiraling prices of the essential commodities in the state, the Cabinet also decided to constitute a committee to monitor the price rise of essential commodities headed by the Chief Minister. It further decided to change the colour of the white ration cards to yellow. That apart, the Cabinet has given its nod to provide land at Rs 90 lakh per acre for a new rail line in Visakhapatnam.