Hyderabad, Mar 28 (PTI) Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Saturday announced a CB-CID inquiry into mining leases and illegal mining since the formation of Telangana in 2014, following an acrimonious debate in the Assembly over allegations made against Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy by the BRS.
Alleging illegal mining by BRS leaders from 2014 to December 2023, when the regional party was in power, he said the government is ready to conduct a probe into it.
He said the government revenue from mining has increased since his party assumed office.
“We will conduct an inquiry by CB-CID into mining leases and irregularities since June 2, 2014, mainly the firms and illegal mining I mentioned now, and will present a report in the next Assembly session,” he said.
The row started after BRS MLA T Harish Rao alleged irregularities by the construction firm belonging to the minister and inaction by the government.
He demanded the constitution of a House Committee to investigate the allegations.
The BRS members kept raising slogans demanding the appointment of House Committee, though Mines Minister G Vivek Venkatswamy assured a departmental inquiry into illegal mining over the last 10 years.
Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu demanded an apology and the withdrawal of allegations against the minister though some BRS members trooped into the well of the House and kept raising slogans.
CM Reddy alleged that the BRS members were trying to “blackmail” and put pressure on the minister as he was not cooperating with their lobbying.
The government would not be cowed down by such “blackmail”, he said.
The CM further asked how Minister Srinivasa Reddy is concerned if his relatives are engaged in some business. PTI SJR SJR KH
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