Date:08/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/08/stories/2005040803310500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Global tenders to be called for granite quarrying

By Our Special Correspondent

ONGOLE, APRIL 7. The Minister for Mines and Geology, P. Sabita Indra Reddy, has said that global tenders will be called for quarrying the world famous galaxy granite deposits in 286 acres of land at Chimakurthi village in Prakasam district without giving scope for corruption or scandal. She has also said that Chimakurthi will be developed into a model mining village.

Speaking to newspersons here on Thursday, she said that the available land would be divided into bits and allotted to quarrying companies through global tenders. Preference would be given to those which would set up polishing units also here itself, she said.

Ms. Indra Reddy expressed regret that the Andhra Pradesh Mining Development Corporation was being punished for mistakes it had not committed. As court now allotted the land for the corporation, it would put it to the best use to get maximum benefit to the Government, she asserted.

The Minister said the Congress Government had not allotted any lease for quarrying till now. But, it had been struggling to clear the mess created by the previous TDP Government in granting lease of mining rights.

ESI to be set up

Later, addressing a meeting of granite company owners at the village, Ms. Indra Reddy said that ESI hospital would be set up at Chimakurthi and Mangampet.