Ground Report: Kiran Kumar Reddy wins Samaikya round one

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 30, 2013: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy seems to have won round one over his party colleagues who were facing stiff resistance from public over the Congress-led UPA’s decision to split Andhra Pradesh to create Telangana state.

His programmes in Vizag on Wednesday to assess the damage to the farmers caused by the incessant rains went off smoothly without any disturbances from the public especially from the enthusiastic Samaikyandhra activists.

However, Wednesday’s visit was a well guarded affair with unusual barricading on either side of the roads for kilometers wherever he visited to interact with the flood victims this was probably to ward off any trouble by united Andhra Pradesh activists.

While Union tourism minister K. Chiranjeevi had to face the students ire in Srikakulam who pelted stones at him on Tuesday, other Union ministers M.M. Pallamraju, J.D. Seelam and Kavuri Sambasiva Rao had tough time in their respective constituencies with the Samaikyandhra activists. They had to visit their constituencies amidst unusual bandobust on Tuesday.

Kiran Kumar Reddy, never lost a chance to express his strong stance on keeping the state united in a defying tone to his party central leadership’s decision to bifurcate the state.

He had visited Devi Nagar in Anakapalle, Thimmarajipeta coming under Munagapaka mandal, Panchadharla of Rambill Mandal and Narayanapuram coming under Achyuthapuram mandal. Everywhere, the Chief  Minister was greeted by Jai Samaikyandhra and Jai Kiran Reddy slogans.

“We appreciate the way you are striving to keep Telugus and Telugu land united. We wish you continue the same and see that state is not bifurcated,” said a woman among the group that met the Chief Minister at Devinagar.

He was also greeted with Jai Samaikyandhra slogans by a large group at Panchadharla village. At an interaction in Narayanapuram too the enthusiastic crowd took the Samaikyandhra slogans and asked the Chief Minister to continue his fight to maintain status quo of AP

On the other hand, conspicuous absence of tribal welfare minister P. Balaraju and PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana at the Chief Minister’s programme raised many eyebrows. Balaraju, on many occasions openly stated that he will abide by high command’s decision.

Split Talk: Union ministers discuss steps to develop Seemandhra, free- trade zone sought

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 28, 2013: Adding credence to the reports that bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh is imminent and that the Centre would not revert on its decision on Telangana, Union ministers M.M. Pallam Raju and D. Purandeswari sought suggestions on steps to develop Seemandhra, especially three districts of north Andhra and East Godavari, from the representatives of industry body, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The round table session on ‘economic and industry growth of Vizag zone’ organised by the CII, Vizag region, gained significance due to the participation of Pallamraju and Purandeswari, who are the first to come out in open from the region in support of Centre’s decision on division of the state. They said its time for everyone to focus on how to develop the residuary state.

Interestingly, the meeting was held strictly in ‘closed doors’ at a star hotel and the media was not invited. Around 40 industrialists from pharma, steel, shipping, apparel, IT and power sectors belonging to Vizag, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and EG districts took part.

The Vizag Development Council (VDC) representatives, who also took part in the meeting, sought to make Vizag a free-trade zone like in Singapore and Dubai.

Concessions on goods tax will make this a global transshipment point, bring in foreign exchange and employment.

“APEPDCL tops other Discoms in the country but industries here are suffering due to poor allocation of power. We must provide 24-hour power supply to all villages and industries, like in Gujarat, for expediting growth. K-G Basin is one of the largest gas finds in our country but the state is not benefiting from it. The entire gas is going to Gujarat and lighting up cities there. This is causing severe unrest. All gas-based power plants are idle as the state is not supplying gas. We want priority to home state,” demanded VDC vice-president O. Naresh Kumar.

The VDC also suggested a separate Supreme Court bench for south India at Vizag and an additional High Court bench at Rajahmundry.

“Both Pallamraju and Purandeswari assured that all these requests will be placed before the Group of Ministers(GoM) for doing the needful,” added Naresh Kumar. 

Later, Pallamraju said they were firm on the united Andhra stance. If division inevitable, there is a need to develop Seemandhra, he said and suggested steps in this regard to the union government. “We are working to protect and safeguard the interests of Seemandhra public,” he told a TV channel.

Raju brushed aside rumours that the Congress leadership is ignoring party leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalseema. 

Something to cheer about: Vizag gets biz boost

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 25: In a welcome development, finally Vizag joined the league of country’s top investment destinations along the likes of big metro cities Banglore, Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad. Until now it was only Hyderabad which was always seen as the city with investment potential in Andhra Pradesh from the global and national perspective.

 Global Initiative for Restructuring Environment and Management (GIREM), a non profit industry body, which had surveyed various investment potential cities across the country, had ranked Vizag at 21. Though Vizag is the last among the cities that were given ranking, the report is expected to generate interest among the investors to open ventures in the city which is strategically located on the east coat with two private ports and one in the public sector.

GIREM works in the areas of urbanization and future cities, with focus on providing eco-socio infrastructure for businesses to operate and flourish.

The report also assumes significance at the time when the state is mired in controversies.  Seemandhra is witnessing fierce agitations after the union government decided to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh and Vizag vying to be the capital of residuary state.  

The report rated the cities based on 16 parameters such as human capital, energy, water, transport, housing, healthcare, climate, office space availability, schools and colleges, getaways, malls and multiplexes, ability to attract talent and city culture. These constitute the basic eco-socio-economic factors critical in determining the growth of the city.

Vizag scored 111.68 out of the 160 points whereas Banglore which topped the list scored the highest points of 129.56, followed by Chennai -127.84, Mumbai- 123.64 and Pune 122.64. These cities emerged as the first four most preferred business destinations in the country.

“Vizag stands at 21st position in terms of attracting investors, in spite of facilities like International airport and railways. Even small cities like Bhubaneshwar and Calicut are placed better. Why? Because the idea of Brand Vizag is still missing. Most people when I say I hail from Andhra Pradesh instantaneously say Hyderabad. Which personally I hate and I explain them that I am from the best city in Andhra Vizag. Vizag has a lot of potential but our politicians have not done much,” observed Surya, an MBA graduate.

GIREM observed that Vizag has good water supply, schools and colleges, better health care services and availability of helping hands. But, the remaining 11 parameters scored low for the city, which needs to be addressed soon otherwise the city will lose the opportunity to attract investments. Parameters like city culture, malls and multiplexes, climate, housing had got 40 percent shortfall of the individual scores.

The industry body also observed that the recent political and administrative disturbance has created lot of ripples across the industries.

At present, most of the functioning of the government is stalled because of the Telangana issue which is not only hampering day to day business, but also the confidence in the city in the minds of the investors outside, the report said.

However local industry heads are hopeful about the future of the city. “Vizag has this advantage of strategically located on the east coast midway between Kolkata and Chennai and is well connected by rail, air, road and sea. There is huge scope in investments into export and import oriented units once PCPIR and ITIR take off. If at least two to three international flights are launched investments will just  pour into Vizag by the MNCs,” Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Vizag chapter, chairman, G Sambasiva Rao told this correspondent. 

Vizag ITIR proposal gains momentum

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 23, 2013: State IT department seems to be moving fast on getting approvals from the union government for the proposed Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) at Vizag.

The draft of the Vizag ITIR’s detailed project report (DPR) is said to be ready and the department is expected to send the final one after fine-tuning it in a week or two.

This move comes after bitter criticism from all the quarters following sanction of an ITIR mega project for Hyderabad, ignoring other regions in the state, at a time when tempers are high, on regional imbalances and the Centre is taking steps to bifurcate the state.

The state government had appointed Earnest and Young, as consultant, to prepare a DPR of the Vizag ITIR project.

It was reported in these columns that though an ITIR for Vizag was sanctioned, in principle, the proposal didn’t move an inch, except a meeting by union minister of state for IT and communications, Killi Kruparani, in the first week of August at Delhi.

Meanwhile, the Centre cleared a proposal to set up ITIR in Hyderabad with projected investments of Rs 2.19 lakh crore over 20 years, which has fuelled dissent in Vizag, which is considered as next IT destination in the state, after Hyderabad.

“We have received the draft and planning to send the DPR to the concerned in a week or two. The proposals have to be sent to more than 15 various departments of the union government and planning commission. We are committed to send the proposals and get the approvals from all departments as soon as possible,” state IT minister, Ponnala Lakshmaiah told this correspondent.

It took almost close to 3 years for the Hyderabad’s ITIR approval after the state government had sent the proposals. However state IT department has entrusted the job of Vizag ITIR to a specific team to act swiftly and the team members are burning their midnight oil.

An ITIR requires 40 square kms of land which is approximately 10,000 acres. This requires 40percent processing –existing and proposed IT units- area and 60percent non processing area having-housing zones, green zones, supporting industries, education institutes, hospitals, hotels, sports area.

APIIC had earlier given details for 4000 acres for processing area including current SEZS at Duvvada and Rushikonda and proposed knowledge city at Kapuluppada in 1700acres.

The state IT department’s team is now busy collecting data on land, power, water and infrastructure availability for this project. The team had already visited city twice since October 1.   While APIIC and Vuda gave the details on available land, GVMC and EPDCL provided information about water and power resources respectively.

“State government has given the top priority for Vizag ITIR. We are working 20 times faster on Vizag ITIR than that on proposals and DPR for Hyderabad’s ITIR,” said a top official of state IT and Communications department.

However local IT entrepreneurs are not ready to bank entirely on the IT department. They are planning a meet and also workshop with the local IT business representatives very soon to discuss the ITIR, other problems faced by the IT sector in the city.

“We are planning a meet very soon in the city and also invite union minister of state for IT and communications Killi Kruparani to pursue Vizag ITIR,” said vice president of   Rushikonda IT Park Association (RITPA), and Vizag Development Council (VDC), O Naresh Kumar.  

Social Media: ‘Visakhapatnam as capital’ buzz on FB

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 19, 2013: As the Samaikyandhra stir fizzled out , after  the AP NGOs called off their stir, and one after the other the Congress elected representatives, toeing the line of the party high command on the  split,  race to  the capital has intensified and the voices demanding special packages for the region have become vociferous,  especially on social media. 

Vizag, Vijayawada-Guntur, Ongole and Tirupati are in the race for the capital.

Vizag youth seems to be leading by generating much needed buzz on the  social media sites like Facebook.

They have recently launched a campaign in all the Vizag-related groups on Facebook asking the locals to send emails en masse to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), under which the GoM looks into the aspects of   state  bifurcation works, demanding Vizag to be made capital of the residuary  state Andhra Pradesh.

To make things easier and get the feeling of   “Just a click away”,  moderators and administrators of these groups facilitated the enthusiastic Vizagites, with a cut and paste job. They have provided all the necessary material, information on the salient features of Vizag and also the qualities that makes the city an ideal capital.

Interestingly, they have chosen Dasara to begin the campaign. “Guys, it’s a great opportunity for us to make our voices heard.  Send emails with the contents below. Just copy and paste all the matter below and just send the email from your email address to  feedbacktogom-mha@nic.in.  This will reach the Group of ministers who  are looking into Seemandhra issues after bifurcation. !! Please cooperate now. Let’s make an effort and try to find success! Yo Vizag! There you go!!  Cheers guys!! Thanks for cooperation !”  This is what the administrator  of “Vizag capital for Seemandhra" group has said.

A similar campaign was launched on the other Vizag -related groups like  “Railway/Airway Injustice to Vizag”, which has 799 members and “We  want Visakhapatnam only under south central railways”, which has 1,546 members. “Vizag capital for Seemandhra” group has as many as 5,415 members.

Many issues, including, the city being in the one corner of the state, which is considered as a disadvantage for being capital is being discussed and debated on this page. “See Chennai, Trivandrum, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Bhubaneswar etc. where are they located in their states,” said Gangulu Vasipilli, a member of the group.

They have also vented our their anger to some reports that Union minister of state for commerce and industry, D Puarndeswari,  has allegedly started lobbying for Vijayawada to be made capital.

“What are we going to do if our own MP starts supporting another city  for the capital? How can we mitigate the damage? Though in the  article, it is no where stated she said she will support Vijayawada,  but it seems behind the negotiation doors, there is good possibility  she could support Vijayawada cause rather than our own,” said August Stein

Vizaglover Surya and added, “Enough madam, you already ditched and  back stabbed people of your constituency Visakha-patnam. Even though  Vizagites elected you as MP, you are pitching in to make Vijayawada  as the capital. What a shame. You are not being faithful to Vizagites. Now with your talk on Vijayawada capital, you have further aggravated  the problem. Now there is no option for Uttarandhra, but to go for a  separate state now. Jai Uttarandhra. Politicians for their personal  gains have ruined this state.” 

Tribal welfare body bans bauxite mining in Vizag Agency

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct  16, 2013: The decision by the AP Tribes Advisory Council not to allow bauxite mining in the Vizag Agency might be the last nail in the coffin for the long-pending controversial issue in this part of the state. The Council passed a unanimous resolution on Tuesday banning bauxite mining.

Cancellation of lease licences given to APMDC to mine bauxite and the MoUs the state agency had signed with private companies for the supply of the mined ore had led to a standoff between the government and  Union tribal welfare minister V. Kishore Chandra Deo, who never lost an opportunity to take a dig at the chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on the issue.

A high-level committee set up by the Union ministry of environment and forests to study the socio-economic and ecological impacts of the proposed bauxite mining in Vizag Agency in 2011, had recommended going ahead with the mining but only after getting approval from the AP Tribes Advisory Council.

The four-member committee headed by former director general of forests  J.C. Kala was appointed after the mining proposal had come under bitter criticism from the locals and the public representatives, before giving stage II clearances by the MoEF.   

The Committee was given the mandate to study whether the proposed mining will have any negative effect on the social and economic well being of the local communities.  

However, it remains to be seen whether APMDC would cancel the MoUs it signed with JSW and ANRAK in 2007 on the supply of the bauxite ore it proposed to mine in Vizag Agency. And also if the MoEF cancels the stage I clearances taking the Council’s resolution into consideration.

“It’s high time that the state government cancelled the MoUs it had signed with the private companies on moral grounds as the Tribes Advisory Council unanimously resolved disallowing bauxite mining,” said tribal rights and anti mining activist, G. Srinivas.

The objective of the AP Tribes Advisory Council is to advise the Governor in the matters pertaining to welfare and advancement of Scheduled Tribes. No regulation shall be made on the issues related to tribals unless the Governor consults the Council.

Tribal welfare minister, Deo earlier wrote to the state governor also asking him to scrap the MoUs state government signed with the private firms, with special powers conferred on him on the Schedule V areas. 

Botsa Satyanrayana in damage control mode

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 15, 2013: PCC president and transport minister Botsa Satyanarayana, who faced the wrath of locals after the union cabinet cleared Telangana note, seems to have switched to damage control mode.

Taken aback by the strong opposition in his constituency, Vizianagaram, where his properties were targeted, he visited the town on Monday amidst tight security. This is his first visit to Vizianagaram after the Telangana declaration was made.

Probably, for the first time, he had openly acknowledged the contentious issues regarding bifurcation of the state, the apprehensions of Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad and water woes farmers would confront.

“Employees from Seemandhra, working in Hyderabad, will face a lot of problems if the state is bifurcated. Besides, farmers of Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra will have to face problems for irrigation water,” he told reporters, agreeing with the APNGOs and others staging protests.

However, ever since the CWC resolutoin was out, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has been more vocal on these issues.

The PCC chief said all the political parties and individuals opposing bifurcation of the state should get on to a common platform and fight for Samaikyandhra with better co-ordination.

In an attempt to ward off criticism for not resigning from his posts, Botsa Satyanarayana said he made a suggestion that both the state and union ministers from Seemandhra, MPs and MLAs resign before the CWC resolution was out. “But none heeded it,” he said.

However, he said that their resignations, at this juncture, would serve no purpose. “By doing so, we will lose an opportunity to defeat the Telangana resolution in the state Assembly,” the PCC chief said.

Maoists on killing spree

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 11, 2013: District police sleuths are of the opinion that with the recent surrender of various militia members of the banned CPI (Maoists), which is considered as a serious setback to them has started unleashing terror in  Vizag Agency in recent times to prove their existence.

The recent murder of a tribal in GK Veedhi was also part of their agenda to prove their existence and also create terror among the tribals, whom police observed have started turning against the ultras. It was the cover and assistance from tribals helped the Maoists to run free and continue their work in forest tracts especially in Vizag Agency.

On last Monday night, the ultras killed 36-year-old V Rajubabu, branding him as a police informer, after abducting him from home at Lakkavarapupets under GK Veedhi police station limits in Vizag agency. In the past, Maoists also killed Rajababu’s father Vanthala
Nageswara Rao on Oct 22, in 2007at Bonangipalli on the same pretext of
working for police. They belonged to Kondu (PTG).

Police sources said that during this year, the CPI (Maoists) called the villagers of Sagulu of G.K.Veedhi Mandal for “Praja Court” and brutally killed three innocent tribals Vanjari Hanumantharao, Bowdu Pandayya and Adapa Chinnayyapadal stating they are not obeying their orders on Feb, 19.

Due to this incident, tribals in Vizag Agency said to have turned against the CPI Maoists, resulting in a near rebellion. Tribals beat the ultras and shunned them from the village after which the Maoists never visited Sagulu and its surrounding villages until now.

So far, CPI Maoists killed 101 tribals in the name of police informers and 12 tribal home guards in Vizag Agency, especially after 2007. In 2009 alone ultras killed alone 11 tribals.

They have also conducted many famine raids at Cheekatimamidi, Devarapalli and Mangalapalem villages recently.  Police also believe that tribals have realized the importance of the development and the reasons behind their under development and began disassociating with the Maoists.

The recent death of woman Maoist Rambathi in Kindangi exchange of fire that took place in July is also considered as a serious set back to them.  “The tribals are now aware of ill-effects on the development like roads construction, establishment of communication towers and implementation of various government schemes in Agency area for being associated with CPI Maoists. Tribals have stopped cooperating with the Maoists, which clearly affected their new recruitment. To overcome all their faults, to create terror in the minds of tribals and to prove their existence in Vizag Agency, Maoists are extensively moving in Galikonda and Korukonda areas to exhibit their strength and to
consolidate their base in view of large number of surrenders. They are committing such heinous murders of innocent tribals,” said district superintendent of police, Vikramjit Duggal.

Nilam hit farmers stare helplessly as Phailin fast approaching N Andhra coast

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 11, 2013: Famers of Vizag, who are yet to receive compensation announced by the state government for their crops damaged during Nilam cyclone, that wrecked havoc in November last year are staring helplessly at the Phailin, very severe cyclone, which is expected to hit the Vizag on Saturday night, cursing their fate.

Though the compensation for the paddy and sugarcane loss in the form of input subsidy was announced by the state government immediately after the Nilam cyclone, in December 2012, the funds were released only on Sep 25 this year, close to one long year after the natural calamity struck the farmers.

And due to the ongoing Samaikyandhra agitation and no government official attending duties since two months the compensation is yet to reach the farmers.

“We are yet to recover from the nightmare caused by Nilam and now we are hearing about Phailin which is said to be more powerful than Nilam. We have not received the Nilam compensation yet and now another cyclone immediately is here to kill us,” said Thathabbai of Mungapaka.

Around 24,586 hectares of crop was damaged during the two spells of Nilam incurring heavy losses to around 1.06 lakh, small, marginal and other farmers.  The state government has released Rs 23.41 crore towards input subsidy for these farmers whose crops were damaged more than 50 per cent. 

This was against the report submitted by the district administration to the state government putting the damages caused by Nilam cyclone at Rs 355 crore, including Rs  106 crore in the agriculture sector after crops in 50,000 hectares were damaged.

Rs 23.41 cr was district’s share in the total relief of Rs 372.37 crore released by the state government to the Nilam affected farmers in seven districts.

Meanwhile GVMC sought the state government several times since November last year to sanction Rs 42.8 crore to repair nearly 45 km of out of the 1,400 km of roads in the city damaged by Nilam. However, the government didn’t heed to the requests of GVMC and is yet to sanction the funds. 

T Bill: BJP to corner Congress in parliament on Seemandhra concerns

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 9, 2013: The BJP seems to be all set to corner the ruling Congress in the parliament over what is being called as ‘unilateral’ way of bifurcating Andhra Pradesh without addressing the concerns, doubts and apprehensions of public in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra, regions, which have been witnessing unrelenting protests for more than 70 days.

 The national party is also gearing up to adapt a new strategy in riot stricken Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra to secure as many as seats in run up to the 2014 general elections. BJP had 3 MPs from this region when the party had alliance with TD in 1999.

Having understood that ignoring Seemandhra region having 25 loksabha seats will be a grave mistake, BJP is now likely to take a new slogan in this region targeting Congress for the present state of mess for going ahead unilaterally without addressing the concerns of the public in both the regions.   

A recent visit by the delegation of BJP Leaders from Rayalseema and coastal Andhra made the national leaders think about prospects in Seemandhra and the national party is most likely to support the Telangana bill when it comes to the parliament only after the concerns of Seemandgra public are addressed properly.  It was also clearly evident when BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi ended his power packed speech at Hyderabad in August by saying Jai Telangana and Jai Seemandhra. BJP will also very soon constitute a separate state level committee for Seemandhra region.

 Around 70 leaders from these two regions had visited Delhi in the first week and met all their important leaders, Sushma Swaraj, Arun Jaitely, LK Advani and also party national president Rajnath Singh. The delegation felt that they were successful in bringing the concerns, apprehensions of the public in Seemandhra region into the notice of their central leadership and also the need as a national party to raise these issues in Delhi.

Remember, BJP divided three states during its six years of rule and done it very smoothly, the leaders said. “Congress is going ahead unilaterally without addressing the concerns of Seemandhra public. I strongly feel that as how the issues, recommendations of the BJP were added to the land acquisition bill, our party national leaders would definitely see that issues of Seemandhra be debated, discussed and added to the Telangana bill before it is passed in the parliament. We are confident that our party central leadership would ensure that justice to Seemandhra whereas Congress has just neglected the region and ignored the interests of the public in this part of Andhra Pradesh,” said BJP national executive member Kambhampati Haribabu.

The BJP delegation from Seemandhra has also submitted a detailed note to the party central leadership on the issues of Seemandhra that are to be raised in the parliament.

“We feel that as a national party it will be through BJP that justice would be done for Seemandhra during the bifurcation. We will be again visit Delhi to meet the national leaders sometime this month end. We will also meet our prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi to seek his support for Seemandhra region,” said BJP state secretary, Bandaru Ranga Mohan Rao. 

Miners find new way to grab licenses

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Oct 5, 2013: Concerns are being raised over alleged mafia of cement firms trying to push hard to grab lease licenses to mine laterite available in thousands of acres in Sarugudu panchayat coming under Nathavaram mandal in the district.

The applicants now seem to have found a new way to grab the licenses from the state government without a mandatory environmental clearance from the State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), for which public hearing is needed.

Reserves of laterite, which is also used in making cement and bricks, are said to be available in abundance in notified scheduled tribal panchayat, Sarugudu, part of Nagulakonda hills, home for many streams in Nathavaram Mandal.  Around 35 persons applied in 63 applications to mine 30,680, acres of land in Nathavaram Mandal since 2009.

Recently the state government’s mines and geology department on Sep 2 had issued mining lease to a Kakinada based applicant S Bhavani over an extent of 4.970 hectares in un-surveyed area of Sundarakota village, of Sarugudu  panchayat in Nathavaram mandal in the district for 20 years.

The lease was approved after the local mines office of the additional director was given the mining plan by the applicant and the Consent Order for Establishment issued by the local Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) office. The project was exempted from the process of public hearing as the mining lease area is less than 25 hectares.


Interestingly the same person had applied for two licenses in July, 3 and 17 to mine laterite in Sundarakota panchayat in an extent of 45 acres and 199 acres in Asanagiri. But the applications were never processed as it needed environmental public hearing to know the views of locals in the vicinity and to get the clearance from the SEIAA. The project was exempted from the process of public hearing as the mining lease area is less than 25 hectares.

“I think the applicants have found a way to first enter the mining area. To avoid lengthy process and public hearing this particular applicant had applied separately for a lesser extent so that the lease licenses can be managed at the local APPCB and mines office. Once they enter, what is the guarantee that they mine in only the stipulated extent of the area they were granted the lease. Who will ensure that they will not indulge in illegal mining hoodwinking authorities? If all the applicants choose to take this route, Vizag’s Nathavaram will very soon turn another ‘Bellary’ and hub of illegal mining,” said mining and tribal rights activist G Srinivas.

Earlier the state mining department granted a 14 year lease to one J Lakshman Rao to mine laterite in 121 hectares, in 2010.  It was despite stiff opposition from locals, the pollution control board held a public hearing to give a go ahead for Rao, to mine laterite in the same panchayat in November 2011. The public hearing had witnessed a lot of opposition and SEIAA is yet to give clearance.