Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said a decision on whether to continue with bauxite mining in the tribal-dominated areas in Visakhapatnam would be taken up only after consultation.
"Decision on whether to continue with bauxite mining in tribal areas of Visakhapatnam or not would be taken only after a comprehensive discussion," Naidu told reporters here.
"The government would honour public sentiments. Bauxite mining activities in the state have already been suspended," he said.
He released a white paper on bauxite mining here.
Naidu alleged the previous governments in the state failed to safeguard the interests of people and particularly those of tribals in issuing lease rights to UAE-based Ras-Al-Khaimah for bauxite mining.
"Followers of corrupt leaders, who were involved in allocating mining leases, are now demanding that government should stop mining activities," he alleged.
"The erstwhile Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government allowed Ras-Al-Khaimah to establish aluminium industry in Visakhapatnam agency (area), for which it was decided that the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation would supply the bauxite by taking up mining," Naidu alleged.
At that time, the Union Government had also given environmental clearances for the establishment of mining company.
Congress has come out in support of the tribals, who are opposing bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam district.
A delegation of Congress members, led by AICC secretary and former Union Minister Bhakta Charan Das, yesterday paid a visit to Chintapalli in Visakhapatnam district and met the tribals to know their objections.
