KTR Seeks Cancellation Of Mining E-Auction In Suryapet

KTR criticised the Mines and Geology department and referred to Notification No 2263906/DM&G MI/Lst/2023 dated August 30, 2024, flagging multiple deficiencies in the tender process. He alleged that nearly 1,100 acres of reserved forest land fell within the Pasupulabodu, Saidulnama and Sultanpur mining blocks but that the tender documents failed to disclose mandatory technical details including precise latitude and longitude coordinates, proper demarcation and boundary fixation through Differential Global Navigation Satellite System survey validation, forest compartment data, detailed survey maps and Universal Transverse Mercator geo coordinates.

He further contended that comprehensive geological reports required under the Mineral Auction Rules, 2015, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, were not furnished, rendering the process legally questionable. He expressed concern that authorities proceeded with the auction despite pending legal scrutiny and did not comply with directions issued by the Telangana High Court in writ petition PIL No 21 of 2024. He also questioned the announcement of preferred bidders before completion of environmental and statutory clearances.

KTR cast doubt over the selection of Deccan Cements Limited and NCL Industries Limited and alleged that the firms faced cases related to illegal mining in reserved forest areas. He alleged that the auction was conducted without obtaining a mandatory no objection certificate from the Forest department and warned that such actions could damage the environment and erode public trust. He demanded immediate suspension of all proceedings under the notification, cancellation of the tender and a time bound independent probe, urging that fresh tenders be issued only after completing scientific surveys and securing all statutory clearances transparently.