RT-50: Mines & Geology Department – Certain irregularities committed by Sri B. Ramachandra Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry (FAC), presently working in Palamaneru and Sri K. Venkata Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry presently working as Asst. Director of Mines & Geology (Vig), Vijayawada – Placed under suspension – Orders Issued.

GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH ABSTRACT Mines & Geology Department – Certain irregularities committed by Sri B. Ramachandra Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry (FAC), presently working in Palamaneru and Sri K. Venkata Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry presently working as Asst. Director of Mines & Geology (Vig), Vijayawada – Placed under suspension – Orders Issued. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE (MINES.I) DEPARTMENT G.O.Rt.No. 50 Dated: 27.01.2012 Read the following: 1) G.O.Ms.No.283, Ind. & Com. (M.III) Dept. dt.27.10.2007. 2) G.O.Ms.No.139, Ind. & Com. (M.III) Dept. dt.09.06.2008. 3) From the District Collector, East Godavari District D.O. Lr. No. E4/1292/2010, dated 01.04.2010. 4) From the Director of Mines & Geology, Hyderabad Lr. No. 31523/R2-1/2010, dated 14.02.2011. 5) U.O Note No. 4957/M.III(1)/2010-8, dated 17.12.2011 of Ind. & Com. (M.III) Dept. >><< ORDER: Whereas in the references 1st and 2nd read above, Government have granted Mining Leases for Laterite over an extent of 166.97 Acres in Sy. No. Un- surveyed Hill Portion (USHP) of Vanthada Hamlet of Gokavaram Village, Prathipadu Mandal, East Godavari District for a period of 20 years in favour of Sri S. Sobhan Babu, and over an extent of 4.447 Hectares in s. No. 9/1, 9/3, 26/1 and 27/2 of Vanthada Hamlet of Gokavaram Village, Prathipadu Mandal, East Godavari District for a period of 20 years in favour of Sri U. Venkata Ramana, subject to obtain prior environmental clearances as per Notification No. S.O. 1533, dated 14.09.2006 and also subject to satisfaction of the provisions of the MMDR Act and rules made thereunder, based on the inspection report of Sri B. Ramachandra Rao the then Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, Rajahmundry (FAC) and further recommendations of the Director of Mines & Geology, Hyderabad. 2. And whereas, on the allegations of illegal mining over the subject area published in various newspapers and media, the Joint Collector & District Collector, East Godari District have conducted enquiry in the matter. In the reference 3rd read above, the District Collector, East Godavari, besides other recommendations, has recommended to initiate the disciplinary action against Sri B. Ramachandra Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry (FAC) who violated the procedure in recommending for grant of Mining Lease in favour of Sri S. Sobhan Babu and Sri U. Venkata Ramana in Vanthada Village without any personal inspection and ignoring the rights of tribals who were in possession of such land for long time. 3. And whereas, as per the report of the Director of Mines & Geology in the reference 4th read above, the lease granted in G.O.Ms.No.283 Ind. & Com. (M.III) Dept. dated 27.10.2007, Sri K. Venkat Rao, Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry have executed the lease deed and issued work orders for the Mining lease on 17.09.2008, without obtaining the Environmental Clearances required under S.O. 1533, dated 14.09.2006 and thereby caused illegal mining. 4. And whereas, Sri S. Sobhan Babu, the lease holder has obtained the Environmental Clearance vide F. No.J-11015/1207/2007-IA II(M), dated 13.08.2010 and not obtained the Consent for Establishment order from the AP Pollution Control Board for the Mining Lease 166.97 Acres. (P.T.O.)-2- 5. The above reports are clearly established the serious lapses on the part of Sri B. Ramachandra Rao, the then Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, Rajahmundry (FAC), presently working in Palamaneru and Sri K. Venkata Rao, the then Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, Rajahmundry presently working as Assistant Director of Mines and Geology (Vig), Vijayawada on their lack of inspection, violating the procedures in recommending the mining lease, issuing work orders and executing the lease deed without obtaining Environmental Clearances from the Govt. of India and Consent for Establishment from the AP Pollution Control Board required under S.O. 1533, dated 14.09.2006 and thereby caused illegal mining. 6. Now therefore, the Government in view of the above and in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 15 of A.P.C.S. (CC & A ) Rules, 1991, hereby place Sri B. Ramachandra Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry (FAC), presently working in Palamaneru and Sri K. Venkata Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry presently working as Asst. Director of Mines & Geology (Vig), Vijayawada under suspension as per Rule 8 (i)(a) of the above said rules with immediate effect pending initiation of disciplinary proceedings. During the period this order remains in force, the Head Quarters of Sri B. Ramachandra Rao, the then Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, Rajahmundry (FAC), presently working in Palamaneru, shall be Palamaneru and Sri K. Venkata Rao, the then Asst. Director of Mines & Geology, Rajahmundry presently working as Assistant Director of Mines and Geology (Vig), Vijayawada, shall be Vijayawada they shall not leave the Head Quarters without obtaining the prior permission of the undersigned. 7. It is further ordered that during the period of suspension, the above officers shall be paid subsistence allowance as per rule 53 of the F.Rs. (BY ORDER AND IN THE NAME OF THE GOVERNOR OF ANDHRA PRADESH) Dr. PREM CHAND PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT To Sri B. Ramachandra Rao, the then ADM&G, through the DM&G Rajahmundry (FAC), presently working in Palamaneru Hyderabad. Sri K. Venkata Rao, the then ADM&G, Rajahmundry presently working as ADM&G (Vig), Vijayawada, The Director of Mines & Geology, Hyderabad. Copy to: The District Collector, East Godavari, Kakinada. The District Treasury Officer, Chittoor and Vijayawada. The Ind. & Com. (M-III) Department. SF/SC. //FORWARDED :: BY ORDER// SECTION OFFICER