Harish Rao flags illegal mining violations
HYDERABAD: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislature party deputy leader T. Harish Rao on Sunday alleged large-scale illegal mining in the state, saying it was causing heavy losses to the exchequer and polluting key water bodies.
He said violations were rampant in the GO 111 zone, affecting the twin reservoirs of Himayatsagar and Gandipet. “Protectors in the government are turning into exploiters,” he said, demanding the constitution of a House committee to probe the issue.
Illegal mining notices and enforcement questioned
Harish Rao said the Mines Department had issued two notices to Raghava Constructions for alleged illegal mining in Kotwal Guda of Shamshabad mandal. He added that if his allegations were proven wrong, he was willing to face disqualification as a legislator.
He questioned what action had been taken against the firm despite joint inspections detecting irregularities and seizure of 5,130 tonnes of stone without valid documentation. He said the company lacked mandatory permissions, including a mineral dealer licence and environmental clearances.
Opposition alleges selective action by government
Referring to enforcement, he said authorities had not acted even after a letter was written to the Pollution Control Board on August 8, 2025, seeking action against the firm. “Why has the penalty of ₹25,000 and one-year imprisonment not been imposed as per rules?” he asked.
He alleged double standards, saying a relative of Patancheru MLA Mahipal Reddy was jailed overnight for a minor mining violation, while no action was taken in this case. “Is there one rule for the opposition and another for the ruling party?” he asked.
He also criticised the government, stating that while Chief Minister Revanth Reddy spoke against pollution in the Musi River, authorities were demolishing houses there even as mining-linked crushers were contributing to pollution in reservoirs.
Calls for probe panel or judicial inquiry
Harish Rao said a House committee should be formed to probe illegal mining in the GO 111 area, with a chairperson from the opposition. Alternatively, he suggested an inquiry by a sitting judge.
He cited the precedent set during undivided Andhra Pradesh, when then Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ordered a House committee into allegations related to Obulapuram mines and appointed opposition MLA Nagam Janardhan Reddy as its chairperson.
He added that though he shared a past association with minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy in BRS, accountability was necessary. “It is the opposition’s duty to expose wrongdoing with evidence and protect the state exchequer,” he said.
