Hyderabad:
There could be a mining scandal making an impact across the border in Andhra Pradesh. And in the news for the wrong reasons is former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy's family. The Andhra Pradesh government is accused of having illegally allotted a massive mineral-rich mining lease to YSR's son-in-law Anil Kumar when YSR was the chief minister.
Opposition parties are alleging that Rakshana Steels, a company reportedly promoted by YSR's evangelist son-in-law, was illegally allotted a mining lease of 1.4 lakh acres in February last year. That was hardly six weeks before elections, when YSR was in the CM's chair.
"Government of India didn't give concurrence. There was no forest or environment clearance. The land belongs to tribals. Violating all this, they gave to Rakshana Steels, because it belongs to YSR's son-in-law," TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu said.
In the Assembly, the government claimed all norms were followed. But there are voices within the ruling Congress itself that are pointing fingers at the YSR family.
"Because of them, the party is getting a bad name. One by one, their misdeeds are being exposed. If they hurt the Nehru-Gandhi family any more, people will teach them a lesson," said Congress MLA Shankar Rao.
Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation had entered into a joint venture with the private company to mine barytes and iron ore from Khammam and Warangal. The Opposition parties are demanding cancellation of the mine lease and a probe by a House Committee.
The alleged irregularities are coming to light at a time when a fallout between the YSR family and the government has led to speculation in political circles on whether this is an attempt to keep Jagan in check.
Opposition parties are alleging that Rakshana Steels, a company reportedly promoted by YSR's evangelist son-in-law, was illegally allotted a mining lease of 1.4 lakh acres in February last year. That was hardly six weeks before elections, when YSR was in the CM's chair.
"Government of India didn't give concurrence. There was no forest or environment clearance. The land belongs to tribals. Violating all this, they gave to Rakshana Steels, because it belongs to YSR's son-in-law," TDP leader and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu said.
In the Assembly, the government claimed all norms were followed. But there are voices within the ruling Congress itself that are pointing fingers at the YSR family.
"Because of them, the party is getting a bad name. One by one, their misdeeds are being exposed. If they hurt the Nehru-Gandhi family any more, people will teach them a lesson," said Congress MLA Shankar Rao.
Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation had entered into a joint venture with the private company to mine barytes and iron ore from Khammam and Warangal. The Opposition parties are demanding cancellation of the mine lease and a probe by a House Committee.
The alleged irregularities are coming to light at a time when a fallout between the YSR family and the government has led to speculation in political circles on whether this is an attempt to keep Jagan in check.
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