The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has decided to cancel barytes mining leases issued in Mangampeta, Kadapa district in 2004 and institute an inquiry into their allotment. Fresh leases would be allotted by floating global tenders.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting here on Tuesday, Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister Palle Raghunataha Reddy said it was decided to cancel GO MS 296 of 2004 through which the leases were allotted. The Cabinet Sub-Committee on corruption would inquire into the irregularities since there was loss to the State exchequer, while profit was illegally earned by the lessee. He said that 20 per cent of the global barytes deposits and 95 per cent of India’s were located in 250 hectares in Mangampeta. The deposits were estimated to be 50 million metric tonnes and worth Rs.50,000 crore.

He said GO MS 296 issued in 2004 stipulated that the income from the lease rent should not be more than 5 per cent. He said while the cost of one tonne of the A Grade mineral was Rs. 4,475 at the site, it was sold for Rs. 9,112 in Chennai. Mr. Reddy said the Cabinet also approved the AP Capital Region Development Authority Bill, 2014. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would be the chairman of the 22-member CRDA.

It would also have 30 executive members. The commissioner would be its convenor.

CRDA would notify the capital region and decide on the Master Plan, Special Development Plan as also a Concept Plan. The authority would be provided legal powers to take up land pooling and the construction of capital with all basic amenities and infrastructure would come under its purview. It would be the sole authority to give permissions for buildings. However, the duties of panchayats and municipalities would not be affected, he added. CRDA would also have the power to enter into agreements with farmers for taking land for the capital.

In another major decision, the Cabinet approved proposal to rename Aarogyasri health insurance scheme as ‘NTR Vaidya Seva’ and increase the number of diseases to be covered by the programme to 1,038 from 938 at present.

The infrastructure, equipment, and other amenities in government-run primary health centres, community health centres and district hospitals would be improved and the scheme would be extended to them.

Source: TH