By
V V Balakrishna - HYDERABAD
Published: 26th April 2014 10:17 AM
Last Updated: 26th April 2014 10:17 AM
The state government is all set to cancel the titanium mining lease
with Bothli Trade AG, signed in 2006. Cancellation of the lease was
under the active consideration of the state government. However, the
agreement has not been annulled as yet. It is only on the paper.
It may be recalled that Congress Rajya Sabha member KVP Ramachandra Rao was indicted by the US Justice Department for allegedly participating in an international racketeering conspiracy involving at least Rs 111 crore in bribes to state and Central government officials to allow mining of titanium in the state.
The US has requested the Centre for ‘provisional arrest’ of Ramachandra Rao.
Governor’s advisor AN Roy, who is holding law and order and mines portfolios, indicated that the titanium lease may be scrapped. Asked about cancellation of the lease, Roy said: ‘’Why not.’’
‘’Several mining leases were cancelled in the past. Even coal leases were cancelled. So why not titanium deal? However, I did not go into the file related to the deal. Action will be taken after going through the related file,’’ Roy told Express.
He further said that several files have been pending due to agitations in the state earlier. ‘’I am clearing the files of routine nature like court cases, promotions and other normal files. I cannot take policy decisions, but clearing files on a day-to-day basis. I will leave office only after I have cleared all the files,’’ he said.
‘’I have some views and ideas on several matters including health. I will throw the ideas open to people and seek their opinions. I am also discussing it with officials,” the governor’s advisor said.
It may be recalled that Congress Rajya Sabha member KVP Ramachandra Rao was indicted by the US Justice Department for allegedly participating in an international racketeering conspiracy involving at least Rs 111 crore in bribes to state and Central government officials to allow mining of titanium in the state.
The US has requested the Centre for ‘provisional arrest’ of Ramachandra Rao.
Governor’s advisor AN Roy, who is holding law and order and mines portfolios, indicated that the titanium lease may be scrapped. Asked about cancellation of the lease, Roy said: ‘’Why not.’’
‘’Several mining leases were cancelled in the past. Even coal leases were cancelled. So why not titanium deal? However, I did not go into the file related to the deal. Action will be taken after going through the related file,’’ Roy told Express.
He further said that several files have been pending due to agitations in the state earlier. ‘’I am clearing the files of routine nature like court cases, promotions and other normal files. I cannot take policy decisions, but clearing files on a day-to-day basis. I will leave office only after I have cleared all the files,’’ he said.
‘’I have some views and ideas on several matters including health. I will throw the ideas open to people and seek their opinions. I am also discussing it with officials,” the governor’s advisor said.
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