No bauxite mining, asserts CM N Chandrababu Naidu

No bauxite mining, asserts CM  N Chandrababu Naidu
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Highlights

Chief Minister suffered a setback in the last general elections as the people were against bauxite mining. Most of the Assembly segments and Lok Sabha constituency was won by the Opposition YSRCP. Even the agitation against the bauxite mining took toll of several lives including some elected representatives, who were slain by the outlawed Maoists.

Araku Valley: Allaying fears of the tribals, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that the government would not take up bauxite mining, hurting the sentiments of the local people.

The Chief Minister suffered a setback in the last general elections as the people were against bauxite mining. Most of the Assembly segments and Lok Sabha constituency was won by the Opposition YSRCP. Even the agitation against the bauxite mining took toll of several lives including some elected representatives, who were slain by the outlawed Maoists.

Apart from Maoists, all the Opposition parties including Congress went against the government, which had proposal to revive the mining.

Sensing severe opposition, Naidu thought it was wise to shelve bauxite mining for some time and promote other activities in a big way to win their hearts.

Addressing at the public meeting at NTR Grounds here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said the government would rather exploit the natural resources found abundant over ground in the Agency area rather than going for mining.

“At present coffee is being grown in 1.5 lakh acres in the 11 mandals of the Agency and it will be increased to 5 lakh acres benefiting 6 lakh tribal population in the district. As each acre will earn the grower an amount of Rs 70,000 Rs 1 lakh, this will be the best sources of income for the people apart from tourism,” he informed.

He said that the government would also focus on organic farming and set up marketing agency, so that the well packaged products found their way into the supermarket shelves all over the country and abroad “The Governor tasted pepper and said it is the hottest ever he tasted in his life. He was also impressed with the coffee which he tasted on arrival,” he added.

By KMP Patnaik

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