BRS leader KT Rama Rao writes to Telangana CM Revanth, demands inquiry into e-auction of mining blocks

Hyderabad: Alleging irregularities in the e-auction of mining blocks in Suryapet district, BRS working president KT Rama Rao demanded that chief minister A Revanth Reddy order an independent inquiry into the auctions and cancel the tenders.In a letter to the chief minister, KTR alleged irregularities, procedural lapses, and legal violations in the e-auction process conducted in the district. He claimed that the mines and geology department carried out the auction in a manner that undermined transparency."Nearly 1,100 acres of reserved forest land fall within the Pasupulabodu, Saidulnama, and Sultanpur mining blocks. However, the tender documents allegedly failed to disclose mandatory technical details such as precise latitude and longitude coordinates, DGPS survey validation, forest compartment data, detailed survey maps, and UTM geo-coordinates," he said.The former minister further alleged that comprehensive geological reports required under the Mineral Auction Rules, 2015, and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, were not furnished, rendering the process legally questionable.KTR also expressed concern that the authorities proceeded with the auction despite pending legal scrutiny and allegedly failed to comply with directions issued by the Telangana high court in 2024. He questioned the announcement of preferred bidders before the completion of environmental and statutory clearances.He further alleged that the auction was conducted without obtaining the mandatory NOC from the forest department, warning that such actions could harm the environment and erode public trust. KTR demanded the immediate suspension of all proceedings under the notification, cancellation of the tender, and a time-bound independent probe. He urged the govt to issue fresh tenders only after completing scientific surveys and securing all statutory clearances in a transparent manner.