Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Mining Issues In Andhra Pradesh. on 7 December, 2015
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Regarding mining issues in Andhra Pradesh.
SHRIMATI KOTHAPALLI GEETHA (ARAKU): Thank you, hon. Speaker, Madam, for giving me this opportunity to speak on a very sensitive issue of growing unrest in bauxite mining happening in my Constituency Araku in Visakapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.
Madam, bauxite is a Central mineral. The Central Government policy regarding conduct of mining in Schedule V areas is not yet determined even today. The Central Government, Ministry of Environment and Forests on 17th August 2015, has granted in-principle clearance for diversion of 1,212 hectare of forest land in Chintapalli and Jerrela of Visakapatnam District in favour of APMDC. In pursuit of this clearance, the AP Government has issued GO No. 97 issuing permission for APMDC to conduct mining in Jerrela. This act of the Government at the State and Central Government level is contrary to the Schedule V of Constitution of India preventing the non-tribals to conduct business in the tribal areas. The Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) has not yet been constituted, and the ratification of the TAC is very much essential for mining to be conducted there. Further, the resolutions have not been obtained from the TAC and the PESA Gram Sabhas.
The tribal areas are rich in mineral resources. Hence, they attract the attention of rest of the State. The tribals have been protesting against mining with intensity and ferocity. The field situation, anxiety and concerns expressed by the local tribals on the proposed mining of bauxite in tribal areas of Visakapatnam have to be taken into consideration. The Human Rights Forum has also given an open statement that this will be detrimental to forest land.
Hence, Madam, through you, I request the kind intervention of the Central Government and the Minister for Mines and Minerals to kindly intervene in this situation and provide necessary action by suspending these GOs; provide justice to the tribal community; and protect human rights as well as ensure fair and transparent means of mining in Andhra Pradesh. Thank you, Madam.