The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : CVC to probe into bauxite lease row

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

CVC to probe into bauxite lease row

Staff Reporter

Lacunae in survey, says NGO

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Central Vigilance Commission has asked the Chief Secretary to look into the alleged leasing of bauxite mines in three blocks of Jerrala in Visakhapatnam district to AP Mineral Development Corporation without conducting any survey.

Referring to a complaint lodged by Samata, an NGO, the CVC in a letter stated that the complaint had been forwarded to the Chief Secretary for necessary action.

“As such, while no further report is required to be sent to the commission, the authorities concerned are required to look into the matter and take such action as deemed fit,” the letter said.

Samata lodged the complaint based on a report published in ‘The Hindu’ dated December 19, 2007 and alleged violation of norms in granting the lease to APMDC.

Shocking

The government has signed agreements for supply of bauxite ore through APMDC to Jindal South West Aluminium Limited and Ras Al-Khaimah for the alumina refineries proposed by them near S. Kota and Makavarapalem.

In its complaint, Samata stated that they were shocked that the person, who was awarded the contract for survey, did not visit the areas marked for mining in an extent of 1,649 hectares following hostile response from locals and Maoists.

Inquiry sought

It is alleged that the person getting the contract for survey was an advisor on the board of APMDC.

The NGO sought an immediate inquiry and scrapping of the mining leases keeping in view the “scam and misrepresentation of facts.”

Demands field survey

Samata executive director Rebbapragda Ravi in the complaint said: “We also demand that a proper field based survey be undertaken considering all aspects of rules and regulations and the points in the additional terms of reference as suggested by the expert appraisal committee (mining) with due diligence and only then the mining lease to be considered.”

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