HC summons two ministers over limestone mining leases

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday issued summons to Minister for Law and Courts Erasu Prathap Reddy and Minister for Mines and Geology Galla Aruna Kumari over their alleged involvement in granting mining leases of lime stone in Kurnool district violating rules and regulations.

The court issued notices to the ministers following a petition filed by Pradeep Kumar, a practicing advocate from Kurnool district. In his petition, Pradeep Kumar alleged that the ministers while granting 40 acres of land for mining lease of lime stone to Deccan Minerals have violated all the rules and regulations. He appealed to the court to direct the government to cancel mining leases as the ministers acted favourably to private parties benefiting their personal interests.  

After hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to both the ministers and sought their explanation within two weeks and posted the petition for further hearing after two weeks.