Bauxite mining war: Govt proposes - Public opposes

Thursday, 22 December 2011 09:14

Written by Staff Reporter

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Vizag: Now-a-days a tight fight been take place in Visakha district on a big issue ie bauxite mining. State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Jindal South West Holdings Limited and Anrak Alumnia Company on 1, 212 hectares of forest land in Chintapalle mandal and 304 hectares in Araku valley and Ananthagiri mandal.

For the past few years the issue was burning at the agency. If the mining allocated to private organisations, the living standards of tribals will come down. Government of Andhra Pradesh is very strict on income towards the mining. Local tribals and Non Government Organisations strongly opposing such mining at living locations.

Committee tours despite agency bandh

The expert committee is proposed to visit Chintapalle, Araku and Ananthagiri mandals, even after the Maoists and residents announced bandh in Visakha agency for next three days. The committee's earlier visit was failed to travel here with same cause in October 10.

CPM opposes . . . .
Communist Party of India (Marxist)- ( CPI-M ) opposed the tour of expert committee in search of bauxinte in Visakha agency (Manyam) on Tuesday. A group of CPM activists headed by Mr. Ch. Narasinga Rao, its District Secretary started an agitation just before the hotel, where the expert committee held.

This committee headed by Mr. JC Kala, will visit Chintapalli and Anantagiri mandals in Visakhapatnam district on December 21 and 22, according to their schedule. Mr. Kala was former director of forests and former chairman of National Environmental Appellate Authority (NEAA).

Other members in this team are M. Kalana Naidu, former chief conservator of forests, VNVK Sasthry, former director Tribal Cultural Research and Training Institute, SK Rao, Director General of Administrative Staff College of India. During the two day period, this team will hold discussions with representatives of various NGO and Government authorities.

It is here to examine the socio- economic impact of bauxite mining, remedial measures availability and requirements representing Andhra Pradesh Mining Development Corporation (APMDC) for Jindal South West Holdings Limited and Anrak Alumina Company. Mr. Narasinga Rao demanded the team to go back and how they will examine mining areas even after the villagers opposed during the public hearing sessions.

The APMDC had sought permission for mining of bauxite in around 1,212 hectares of forest land in Chintapalle mandal and 304 hectares of forest land in Araku valley and Anantagiri mandals in the district, according to sources.

Tight security beefed up at the lodge on Tuesday early hours. Later, Mr. Lav Agarwal, District Collector and other local officials approached the CPM activists to hear their version and advised them to approach the committee on Dec 22 during the public hearing in Circuit house.

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