Andhra Guv to cancel 10 bauxite mining leases

Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan is likely to use his special powers to cancel 10 mining leases issued for bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam district. The leases were issued between 2005 and 2009,and included areas in forests and tribal lands in Eastern Ghats and Aaraku Valley in Vizag.

The Centre has requested Narasimhan to use powers given to all governors in Scheduled Areas under the Constitution to cancel the leases. Tribal Affairs and Panchayati Raj Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo,who is MP from Aaraku,said the Centre had asked the Governor to go through the leases and use his special powers to cancel all bauxite mining leases. Nine of these leases were issued by the government led by the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Between November 2006 and May 2010,the state government issued seven bauxite leases to AP Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) and three to National Aluminium Company. Three of these leases were in the reserve forest areas of Galikonda,Rakthakonda and Chittamgondi. The rest were in tribal areas.

“All the leases given by APMDC between 2005 and 2010 were in violation of environmental and constitutional rules and regulations…. While the pristine forests are being degraded,tribals face loss of land and livelihood,” said Deo.