Nellore | Sept 28, 2017:

Negligence of mines and revenue departments in illegal mining of gravel is resulting in a huge revenue loss to the government.

This activity is also the reason behind the drowning of children and aged people in the pits caused by illegal quarrying in Venkatachalam mandal of Nellore.

What surprises everyone concerned is that officials dilly dallying over taking an action against those involved in the unauthorised mining under some pretext or other even after knowing the operators.

For instance, Sarveypalli legislator Kakani Govardhan Reddy himself complained about mining of gravel at Yarraguntla village after examining the area and he had also forwarded the evidence to authorities of revenue and mining on September 9 through photos which shows loading of gravel into the trucks and also suggested to lodge a complaint with police. Villagers have also identified the person behind the activity and informed the respective departments.

Though mining officials are aware that the area is not allotted for quarrying, they said they need to have a certificate to this effect from revenue wing. Revenue officials said they will provide the same if requisition is sent by mining department. They blamed each other for certain lapses in their respective operations.

Nearly two weeks has lapsed and the mines department has raised a demand of Rs 19 lakh on the name of a person who was responsible for illegal quarrying but surprisingly they had not registered any complaint against him because he belongs to the ruling party and got blessings of bigwigs in the party.

Speaking to this newspaper, Kakani Govardhan Reddy has alleged that illegal quarrying of gravel and blue metal is rampant in Sarveypalli constituency with the support of ruling party leaders and the officials.

He said, crores worth of material is being mined without paying any royalty to the funds starved state.

Referring to mining to the extent of 10 meters in different places, he said the deep trenches filled with rainwater are becoming death traps. Lamenting over the silence of district authorities, he appealed them to pay special attention to the issue to save mineral wealth as well as precious lives.

(Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/)