Andhra Pradesh assembly: Opposition demands probe into illegal mining of Barytes

Opposition parties today forced repeated adjournment of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly demanding that the government constitute a House Committee to probe into the illegal mining of Barytes in Khammam allegedly by kin of former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

TDP members stormed the Speaker's podium demanding constitution of the House Committee even as the government rejected the plea.

Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar, who was in the chair, adjourned the proceedings twice as the TDP members persisted with their demand.

The illegal mining of Barytes ore in Khammam district was raised by CPI member from Kothagudem, K Sambasiva Rao, who dubbed it as a larger scandal than the illegal mining of iron ore in Obulapuram on the AP-Karnataka border.

"Illegal mining of the valuable Barytes ore is being carried out in 1.37 lakh acres and the former Chief Minister YSR's son-in-law Anil Kumar and brother-in-law Ravindranath Reddy are involved in it," Sambasiva Rao alleged.

Mining Minister B Srinivasa Reddy, who is also a close relative of YSR, refuted the allegation and said the mining activity was being carried out by state-owned AP Mineral Development Corporation.

"The private company Rakshana Steels is limited only to transportation of the mined ore," he said.

This, however, did not satisfy the CPI members who were joined by their TDP colleagues in demanding a House Committee for a detailed investigation.

With Opposition members rushing into the Well of the House, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the proceedings twice but as peace did not return, he adjourned the House till 5 pm.