Harish demands probe into illegal quarrying at Manasa Hills

Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader Harish Rao demanded the immediate shutdown of the alleged illegal quarry at Manasa Hills in Rajendranagar, a comprehensive investigation, and recovery of the value of the extracted natural resources along with penalties. He also called for the cancellation of the 17-acre land allotment and insisted that the land be brought under open and transparent bidding.Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Harish Rao said the BRS would not remain silent. He added that if the govt still claims it cannot see the illegal quarrying, the party is ready to take officials to the site and prove the facts. He urged the chief minister to act without delay and ensure that public land and natural resources are protected in the interest of Telangana. He alleged that Manasa Hills were being excavated day and night using heavy machinery without any statutory approvals.Harish Rao questioned why the officials of revenue, mines, pollution control board, and HMDA had failed to act despite months of large-scale excavation and the transport of stone and concrete material. "Is there one law for ordinary citizens and another for ministers?" he asked.He listed several mandatory approvals that were allegedly not in place, including consent for establishment (CFE) and consent for operation (CFO) from the pollution control board, environmental clearance, mining lease permission from the mines and geology department, land conversion and HMDA approvals, explosives licence, groundwater permissions, and revenue clearances.He further alleged that 17 acres of govt land were allotted to a company without open bidding and questioned why the land was not put up for open auction, which could have generated significant revenue for the state. "If there is nothing to hide, why was transparent bidding not conducted?" he asked. Harish also criticised what he described as selective action by enforcement agencies. "HYDRAA goes after poor people's houses, but illegal quarries and encroachments by ministers and their associates go unchecked," he alleged.