Decision to allow bauxite mining after public debate: Naidu

Asserting that his government would not go against the interests of tribals, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said a decision on allowing bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam region would be taken after a thorough public debate.
Speaking on the issue in Legislative Assembly, he said the government is committed to the welfare of tribals and cited the example of coffee cultivation being promoted in about 50,000 acres in the region.
The government's intention is to promote industrialisation and creation of wealth where ever mining of mineral resource is involved, he said.
Mineral wealth helped states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh can take advantage of oil and gas reserves available in the state (KG basin), he said.

The government would not, however, go against the interests of tribals and a debate should take place to arrive at a good decision, he said.
Referring to bauxite mining during the regime of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, he alleged that there was an attempt to benefit through unethical means.

Minister for Mines Peethala Sujata made a statement in the House today on the issue.
"...Then Chief Secretary, supported by Principal Secretary (Revenue), suggested that instead of allocating a specified area to one company, it may be desirable to excavate the deposits at one place and supply to all the alumina companies.

"The then Chief Minister, overruled the Chief Secretary's suggestion, directed that a MoU be entered into with Government of Ras-Al-Khaimah to assure supply of bauxite from Jerrela group of deposits to their proposed Alumina plant," the statement said.
Naidu mentioned some of the points in the statement.
Though Andhra Pradesh is the second richest state in bauxite following Odisha, it has not started production of the mineral till date, the statement said.
Bauxite mining is understood to be opposed by the tribal inhabitants of Vizag region. The opposition YSRCP held a meeting in the region recently where its President Y S Jaganmohan Reddy voiced opposition to its mining.

YSR Congress boycotted the Assembly yesterday and today in protest against the suspension of its member R K Roja for one year and the House for not continuing debate on 'call money racket' in the state.
After Naidu's speech, Speaker K Sivaprasad adjourned the House sine die. The Winter session was held for five days.