NGT directs AP mines dept to inspect illegal mining on Dalit-allotted land | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The National Green Tribunal’s Southern Zone has directed the Andhra Pradesh mines and geology department to inspect allegations of rampant illegal mining of red soil and gravel on about 900 acres of land allotted to Dalits in the Peddapuram constituency of Kakinada district.The tribunal ordered the authorities to immediately stop any unlawful mining activity found during the inspection and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.The direction was issued by a bench comprising Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana, judicial member, and Dr Prashant Gargava, expert member, while hearing an application filed by Karri Venkataramana, a resident of Peddapuram.Venkataramana alleged that authorities were allowing illegal mining on a large scale. Taking note of the allegation, the tribunal directed the mines and geology department to inspect the area and, if illegal mining was found to be taking place, stop it forthwith and initiate appropriate legal action.The tribunal also directed the department to file an action-taken report before the next date of hearing. The case also involves private parties allegedly connected with the mining activity.The tribunal noted that notices had not yet been served on them and that they had not entered an appearance, either personally or through counsel. It therefore directed the applicant to issue fresh notices to the private parties and posted the matter for further hearing on Nov 4.According to the petition, both ruling and opposition parties had promised to curb illegal mining in the area, but little action had followed. The petitioner alleged that the continued activity had resulted in violations of legal and constitutional safeguards, significant environmental degradation and a threat to the livelihoods of local farmers in Rameshwaram, Surampalem, Anuru, Kondapalli and Gundlametta Hill.Venkataramana further alleged that the mining was being carried out by local politicians and the sand mafia in alleged connivance with officials concerned.He claimed that although excavation was permitted only up to 200 metres at authorised sites, miners were allegedly excavating to depths of up to 400 metres and operating close to human habitation.The petitioner also claimed that the district collector and other officials had inspected the area in the past and found evidence of illegal mining.“They warned of stringent action, including criminal cases under the provisions of the SC/ST Act, but nothing has changed and the illegal mining continues unabated,” Venkataramana alleged.