Update - Bauxite mining proposal in AP shelved, says Minister

The proposal to allow bauxite mining in the eastern ghats of Visakhapatnam district has been shelved for good and there need not be any apprehensions on the count, asserted Mr Kishore Chandra Deo, Union Minister for Tribal Welfare, here on Sunday.

He made the assertion at a press meet here on Sunday in response to a number of questions on the issue posed by reporters. “I have made it abundantly clear on several occasions that the proposal has not been cleared by the Union Government and it will not be done. I am opposed to it and have made my position clear. It is not possible to take up bauxite mining or any other mining without holding gram sabha and obtaining the consent of the local Girijans. There should be a majority resolution. It is not possible to take up such mining furtively or in a clandestine manner and the clearances also cannot be obtained that easily. Therefore, there is no room any apprehensions on that count,” he explained.

When a reporter brought it to the notice of the Union Minister that a private company was going ahead with the construction of an aluminium refinery at Makavaripalem in Visakhapatnam district and the bauxite for it has to come from the district, he said that he did not know how the company was going ahead with the construction.

“Perhaps, they will import bauxite. Bauxite mining will not be allowed in the district. It is one of the issues agitating the tribals. Therefore, it is ruled out. The Governor has special powers to stop such mining in scheduled areas and they can be invoked even without the consent of the State Cabinet. If necessary, we will request the Governor to use those powers,” he said.