BRS seeks Minister’s dismissal over mining allegations

The BRS met Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla seeking dismissal of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and a judicial probe into alleged illegal mining. KT Rama Rao accused the Chief Minister of shielding him and warned of intensified agitation if no action is taken.

Hyderabad: Escalating its offensive against the Congress government, the BRS called on Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla at Lok Bhavan on Monday and complained against Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, seeking his immediate dismissal and an independent judicial inquiry into alleged illegal mining and land encroachments linked to his family.

The BRS team held a nearly hour-long meeting at Raj Bhavan, submitting documentary evidence linking Raghava Constructions, belonging to the Minister’s family, to large-scale violations. The party accused the company of carrying out mining in restricted catchment zones of twin reservoirs without mandatory approvals, including mineral licences, pollution clearances and power connections, resulting in massive loss to the State exchequer.

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The Governor is learnt to have assured the delegation that he would examine the evidence and respond appropriately.

Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, BRS working president KT Rama Rao said the party demanded either a House Committee comprising legislators from all parties or a probe by a sitting High Court judge. “A fair investigation is impossible while the Minister continues in office. He must be removed immediately,” he asserted, expressing lack of faith in State agencies such as the CB-CID.

He said hundreds of crores worth of public resources had been siphoned off through illegal mining operations over the past two years. He pointed out that the State government itself admitted in the Assembly that notices were issued to Raghava Constructions for violations, calling it proof of wrongdoing.

The BRS working president targeted Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accusing him of shielding the Minister. “If the Chief Minister has the courage, he should sack Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and order an independent probe. Instead, he is backtracking on his own promise of an inquiry,” he said, alleging that the state’s investigative agencies lacked independence since the Chief Minister also holds the Home portfolio.

He said when the issue was raised in the Assembly, opposition members were suspended instead of being allowed a discussion, suppressing democracy.

Drawing a parallel with the Emergency era, Rama Rao said the Congress promised Indiramma Rajyam, but was undermining democratic institutions in the State. He criticised the Congress for opposing a House Committee probe while its national leadership demands parliamentary committees on similar issues.

“The Governor himself endured imprisonment during the Emergency period and understands the importance of democracy. We urged him to intervene to uphold democratic values and ensure an impartial investigation,” he said.

Responding to Revanth Reddy’s remarks that the BRS was trying to blackmail Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy for personal favours, the former Minister dismissed it, stating that Revanth Reddy himself misused the RTI Act in the past to blackmail people. Pointing to the Chief Minister’s assurance to probe corruption allegations, he accused him of backtracking on the demand for a probe against the Minister.

“If the Chief Minister has any integrity left, let there be an impartial inquiry, not just into Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy’s dealings but also into other major scams,” he said, listing alleged irregularities in AMRUT projects, Singareni tenders and phone tapping, among others, during the current Congress rule.

Stating that the party would intensify its agitation if no action was taken, Rama Rao questioned the BJP for maintaining studied silence on the issue. He said the BJP failed to exert pressure on the State government despite the serious charges.