Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy ordered a CBCID probe illegal mining cases across Telangana, covering sand quarry operations since June 2, 2014.
He announced the decision during the Assembly session on Saturday. He said the Crime Branch CID would investigate mining activities and submit findings in the next legislative session.
The probe will include sand quarry operations across the state. It will examine alleged irregularities and identify those responsible.
Responding to demands from BRS MLAs, the Chief Minister rejected the need for a House Committee. Instead, he said a comprehensive investigation would address all allegations.
CBCID probe illegal mining to cover multiple leaders and firms
Revanth Reddy said the CBCID probe illegal mining cases would include operations linked to several political figures. Revanth Reddy stated that mining activities involving BRS leaders would also be examined.
He named Gangula Kamalakar, Vaddiraju Ravi Chandra and Santosh Rao among those whose activities would fall under scrutiny. He also referred to Ravinder Rao in connection with alleged sand mafia links.
At the same time, he addressed allegations concerning Raghav Constructions, which is linked to the family of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. He said officials had already issued notices to the company seeking details on alleged violations.
CBCID probe illegal mining counters BRS allegations
The Chief Minister accused BRS leaders, including T. Harish Rao and K. T. Rama Rao, of facilitating illegal mining during the previous government.
He said the Congress government would not be intimidated by political pressure. Moreover, he asserted that the CBCID probe illegal mining activities would reveal the facts.
Revanth Reddy also rejected claims that the real estate sector had declined under the current government. He said revenue from sand sales had increased by 35 percent, indicating continued demand.
He added that the government would not ignore any violations affecting state revenue. Therefore, strict action would follow if wrongdoing was established.
The Chief Minister reiterated that accountability remained central to the investigation. He said the government would act firmly against any individual found guilty.