Raghava Constructions Denies Illegal Mining Near Rajendranagar Amid BRS Accusations

BRS party claims illegal mining is happening without needed permits, while Raghava Constructions says the accusations are false.
By Newsroom | Politics, Telangana |

Raghava Constructions has vehemently refuted accusations of illegal quarrying and operating crusher units without necessary permissions. The company’s project manager, D. Gopala Krishna, along with Tirumala Metal Industries owner Kumara Raja, asserted that neither Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, whose family is associated with the firm, nor Raghava Constructions have any involvement in quarrying activities at the Manasa Hills site near Rajendranagar. They characterized the allegations as a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the minister and his family.

The company stated that the accusations were unfounded and part of a conspiracy.They clarified that the contract for layout development works in the HMDA area was awarded to NCC Limited.

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Opposition Alleges Ministerial Involvement and Lack of Clearances

Leaders from the BRS party, including MLC Dasoju Sravan and general secretary RS Praveen Kumar, have publicly accused a company linked to Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy of operating crusher units at an alleged illegal quarry in Kotwalguda, near Rajendranagar. The BRS faction claims these operations are occurring without mandatory permissions, including environmental clearance, a valid mining lease, or a license for explosives.

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Former minister T Harish Rao has been particularly vocal, alleging large-scale illegal quarrying by Raghava Constructions in the Manasa Hills area. He specifically questioned the absence of land-use conversion permission from the HMDA, environmental clearance, and mining leases. Rao also raised concerns about the continuous excavation and transportation of materials using heavy machinery, asserting that such activities were ongoing "day and night."

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The BRS has demanded an immediate seizure of the alleged crushing units, a thorough investigation, and the resignation of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. They have also questioned the silence of other state ministers, including those overseeing Finance, Energy, Environment, Forests, and Geology and Mines, asking whether the law is applied differently when a minister's family is involved.

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Additional Allegations Surface

Beyond the immediate quarrying claims, Harish Rao has also alleged that 17 acres of government land were allocated without open bidding to individuals described as associates of the Chief Minister's son-in-law for quarry operations. Another BRS leader reportedly accused MEIL and Raghava Construction of being involved in a scam concerning two packages totaling Rs. 4,350 crore for the Narayanpet-Kodangal project, and a Rs. 1,137 crore contract under AMRUT awarded to the Chief Minister's brother-in-law.

Contextual Background

The dispute centers around alleged mining activities in the Manasa Hills area, located near the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in Rajendranagar mandal. The accusations were made public by the BRS party, which has been critical of the current Congress government's alleged patronage of illegal mining and questionable real estate dealings. Raghava Constructions is identified as a company with ties to the family of Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy. Reports from September 2024 also mention ED raids on the residence of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and his company, Raghava Constructions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What illegal activities is BRS accusing Raghava Constructions of near Rajendranagar?
The BRS party claims Raghava Constructions, a company linked to Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, is involved in illegal quarrying and operating crusher units without necessary permissions like environmental clearance and mining leases near Manasa Hills.
Q: How has Raghava Constructions responded to the illegal mining allegations near Rajendranagar?
Raghava Constructions has strongly denied all accusations, stating they have no involvement in quarrying activities at the Manasa Hills site. They called the allegations a conspiracy to damage the minister's reputation.
Q: What specific permissions are BRS leaders saying are missing for the alleged mining near Rajendranagar?
BRS leaders, including T Harish Rao, claim the operations lack environmental clearance, a valid mining lease, land-use conversion permission from HMDA, and a license for explosives.
Q: What action has the BRS party demanded regarding the alleged illegal mining near Rajendranagar?
The BRS party is demanding an immediate seizure of the alleged crushing units, a full investigation into the matter, and the resignation of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
Q: Are there other allegations against Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy's associates besides illegal mining near Rajendranagar?
Yes, BRS leaders have also alleged that 17 acres of government land were allocated without bidding for quarry operations and pointed to alleged scams in other projects involving companies linked to the minister's family and the Chief Minister's relatives.