Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President YS Sharmila has demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged exploitation of mines during the YSRCP government, calling for accountability from not just minor players but also the major figures involved in the mining scam. Speaking at a press conference, Sharmila asserted that the former Director of Mines, Venkat Reddy, was only a small part of a much larger network that benefited from the illegal mining activities, accusing the government of gross misconduct.
Sharmila criticized Venkat Reddy, the alleged mastermind behind the Rs. 2,566 crore mining scam, and questioned the hidden powers behind him who allowed the exploitation to continue. She claimed that the natural wealth of Andhra Pradesh had been systematically looted over the past five years, with mining contracts handed over to favored companies. “Tenders and agreements were ignored, and the intended companies were given the contracts, violating all rules, including NCT regulations,” Sharmila charged.
She further accused the state government of transferring funds that rightfully belonged to the state’s treasury into private accounts. Highlighting the severity of the scam, Sharmila called for more than just the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s (ACB) investigation, advocating for a full-scale probe that would expose all individuals involved. “The government must catch the ‘big whales’ profiting from this scam, not just the ‘small fish’ they use to cover up their crimes,” she said.
Sharmila also pushed for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the exploitation of the state’s natural resources, emphasizing that only an independent and comprehensive investigation could bring justice and uncover the truth behind the illegal activities.
