AP government orders CBI probe in illegal mining of limestone in Guntur

Vijayawada: Acting on a series of allegations of illegal mining and transportation of limestone in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into the claims.

The CBI probe follows the Guntur Collector’s report about illegal quarrying in Konanki village of Piduguralla Mandal and Kesanupalli and Nadikudi villages of Dachepalli Mandal in the district. The illegal quarrying is estimated at 3,130,419 metric tonnes, resulting in a loss of revenue to the government in the form of royalty and penalty.

The AP government on Tuesday released a government order stating that AP has accorded consent to members of Delhi Special Police Establishment. The latter will exercise their powers and jurisdiction in the state for investigating illegal mining, quarrying and transportation of limestone in Konanki, Kesanupalli and Nadikudi villages in 17 cases.

Guntur Revenue Officials said that the authorities had registered cases against several people in the illegal mining activity. It followed a preliminary investigation conducted by the Mines Department identifying the role of 17 people in the crime.

As the issue had its tentacles spread across various departments and a long period under different circumstances, the AP government recommended a probe by the CBI team.