Illegal Quarrying Near ORR By Firm Linked To Minister: Harish
“The quarrying is being done illegally in 17 acres of prime government land near the Outer Ring Road, allegedly allotted to associates of the Chief Minister’s son-in-law and his relatives without open bidding,” Harish Rao alleged.
HYDERABAD: Senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao on Tuesday alleged massive illegal quarrying at Manasa Hills, Rajendranagar, and claimed that the activity was being indulged in by Raghava Constructions, a company, he said, was linked to minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
“The quarrying is being done illegally in 17 acres of prime government land near the Outer Ring Road, allegedly allotted to associates of the Chief Minister’s son-in-law and his relatives without open bidding,” Harish Rao alleged. He claimed the operations did not have “clearances from the Pollution Control Board, environment, mines & geology department, HMDA, revenue, or explosives authorities,” adding that the “hills are being excavated day and night using heavy machinery without any statutory approvals.”
Questioning why no government agency questioned the operations so far, Harish Rao asked: “Is there one law for ordinary citizens and another for ministers? And if there is nothing to hide, why was transparent bidding not conducted?”
Harish Rao demanded the immediate shutting down the alleged illegal quarry, a full investigation, and recovery of the value of extracted natural resources along with penalties. He also called for cancellation of the 17-acre land allotment and insisted that the land be brought under open and transparent bidding.
