Hindu reported that opposition members in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council urged the Government to review its policy on open cast mining by Singareni Collieries as it was resulting in serious environment pollution, destruction of forests and displacement of people in scores of villages.

Raising it as short notice question, Mr K Dileep Kumar said that open cast mining should not be allowed as it was resulting in destruction of one lakh acres of land, polluting ground water and caused a lot of damage to the environment in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam of Telangana region. Thirty five villages had disappeared due to open cast mining and 200 more would meet the same fate if more open cast mines were allowed.

He alleged that the Singareni Collieries management is only thinking along commercial lines only and ignoring the health and livelihood concerns of people residing in the vicinity of open cast mines.

Mr Puvvada Nageswara Rao of CPI said that in addition to 14 open cast mines in the four districts of Telangana, 30 to 40 more open cast mines were proposed to be opened and demanded that the Government should withdraw the proposals.

Mr Chukka Ramaiah of PDF said that all the open cast mines are located close to the national highway, thereby resulting in destruction of environment and local culture.

Mr K Rosaiah Finance Minister in his reply said that open cast mining operations are conducted by the company in a scientific manner as per the approvals given by regulatory authorities like Director General of Mines Safety, Ministries of Coal, Environment and Forest. He however agreed for a short discussion on the subject and listen to suggestions of members.

(Sourced from Hindu)