Hyderabad: TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu has
demanded that Andhra Pradesh government immediately ban export
of iron ore from the state and also release a white paper on
iron ore "illegally exported" from here in last six years.
"Karnataka has banned export of iron ore from that state
and estimated that 30 million tonnes of it was exported in the
last few years. AP has more iron ore reserves than Karnataka
and hence the quantity of ore exported illegally from the
state could be much higher...Hence it should be banned,"
Chandrababu told reporters at TDP headquarters here today.
While the Congress in Karnataka is fighting against the
"mining mafia" and illegal export of mineral wealth, the
state government is rolling out a red carpet and encouraging
plundering of national wealth by certain elements, he alleged.
"Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is taking
decisions against his own ministers` interests vis-?-vis iron
ore export. But the AP government is unduly favouring them and
allowing export of iron ore illegally. As many as 2,000 trucks
of iron ore is being exported through the Krishnapatnam port
daily. The Congress government here is in a deep slumber,"
the TDP chief said.
The government should prove its sincerity and release a
white paper on the iron ore exports from the state in the last
six years, he demanded.
Referring to iron ore mining in Bayyaram and two other
mandals in Khammam district, the Leader of Opposition said the
government sought to hand over rich mineral spread over 1.40
lakh acres to the son-in-law of former Chief Minister Y S
Rajasekhara Reddy though requisite environmental and forest
clearances were not granted for mining activity.
The TDP would join CPI in the fight against illegal
mining in Khammam district on August 12, Naidu said.
"We will continue our nation-wide fight against the
mining mafia with the support of other parties. We will fight
the issue in Parliament as well," he added.
PTI
