CM’s statement on World Indigenous Day stating that natural resources like bauxite are available in abundance in AP has kicked off a fresh row with CPM raising objections. The CPM leaders Monday demanded that the State Govt give up the proposal of bauxite mining and cancel all the agreements signed by the previous Congress govt with Jindal Group and the UAE-based Ras Al Khaimah immediately.

Addressing media here Monday, CPM Parliament member from Tripura, Jitendra Choudhary, alleged that both the TDP and the BJP are handing over natural resources to corporate entities in the name of development. “They are undermining the law of the land and environmental norms which in turn is causing severe loss in terms of environment as well as revenue.” he feared.

The MP said the previous govt signed the MoU against the interests of the tribals in Araku valley. The bauxite ore in the area, an estimated 550 million tonnes valued at Rs 1 lakh crore, was grossly undervalued at only Rs 11,400 crore which was further reduced to Rs 258 crore. “The report by the CAG stated that the agreements are faulty following which the Union govt recommended scrapping them. However, the ruling TDP is still continuing with the agreement despite the natives opposing it,” he alleged.

Choudhary felt that bauxite being a poisonous ore would lead to degradation of the quality of water and land in Araku valley. “Sadly, there is no provision in the agreement for checking environmental degradation which will affect the life and economy of the valley in the long run,” he added. CPM leaders are planning to launch a series of protests to protect the interests of the tribals and objected to CM’s declaration and felt that it depicts the pro-corporate and anti-people policy, despite the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry’s direction to scrap the MoU in 2012.

Alleging that the BJP and its allied parties are conniving in undermining rights of tribals and other forest dwellers in violation of the Forest Rights Act, Choudhary said that all these issues would be raised by CPM in the next Parliament session. CPM state leader Ch Narasinga Rao warned the TDP govt against allowing bauxite mining in the agency area failing which the CPM would thwart such attempts. CPM Vizag district secretary K Lokanadham was also present.