Jagan Benefited Bharathi Cement? Now Notices Issued

The Andhra Pradesh Mining Department has issued notices to Bharathi Cement over alleged irregularities in limestone mining leases in Kadapa district. Bharathi Cement has Bharathi Reddy, wife of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, as a director. The department has asked the company to explain why its mining leases in Yerraguntla and Kamalapuram mandals should not be cancelled for violating mining laws.

According to officials, the previous government granted these leases in a manner that went against the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act of 1957. The department claims that valuable limestone lands were renewed directly instead of being allotted through a public auction, which is mandatory under central rules. In February 2024, the then government extended Bharathi Cement’s mining lease over 744 acres for 50 years. Officials also allege that some government orders related to these leases were not made public at the time.

The Mining Department further stated that a High Court order from 2021 was wrongly interpreted by the earlier administration. The court had only asked the government to hear the company and take a decision as per law, but the leases were renewed based on legal opinions that the current officials describe as improper. Along with Bharathi Cement, similar notices have been sent to ACC, now under the Adani Group, and Ramco Cements for alleged violations during the 2023 and 2024 period.

The notices have been sent by post to the company offices, and the firms have been given 15 days to submit their explanations. The Mining Department has warned that if the replies are not satisfactory, the limestone mining leases could be cancelled immediately.