Incarcerated former director of mines V.D. Rajagopal has been accused by the state vigilance and enforcement wing of being involved in yet another case of irregularities while renewing mining leases.
Following a note from the chief secretary, the V&E probed into allegations of irregularities while renewing the 302-acre barytes mine’s lease in Garla of Khammam district.
The agency found that Mr Rajagopal had disregarded the forest officials’ objections and forwarded the file to the industries and commerce department for renewal of license to Viswabharathi Mining Corporation (VMC).
In its report submitted to the state government, the vigilance and enforcement wing stated that both the mines & geology and industries & commerce department officials had violated the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act by projecting the forest land as government (revenue) land and renewed the lease. Officials of revenue and mines department also prepared false reports, favouring the company.
V&E found that the irregularities took place when the lease was renewed in 1982 and 2006. VMC had applied for renewal in 2004 claiming that the land was government land. In 2006, Mr Rajagopal had forwarded the proposal based on alleged irregular reports of revenue officials to the industries and commerce department.
Based on this, the ministry of forest and environment had given clearance in 2009, permitting VMC to continue mining operations till 2025.
As per Section 2 of the Forest Conservation Act, the authority to permit or renew any lease in forest land lies only with the Centre and the state has no authority. The Centre has to give an NOC or permission to use the forest land for non-forestry purposes.