Kadapa, January 4, 2025: The son of a former high-ranking official in the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) allegedly secured three barytes mine leases in Kadapa district using illicit means, leveraging his father’s position. The son, through a government-owned corporation, set up a joint venture and began mining, bypassing the usual public auction process. The then Director of the Mines Department, Venkata Reddy, facilitated the covert operation, awarding leases without following the standard procedure.
In early 2023, the former official’s son’s company, SR Barytes Mines and Minerals, applied for a 24.5-hectare lease in Pulugurallapalle, which was reserved by the Mines Department and APMDC. After tenders were issued, SR Barytes was awarded the lease despite its connections to the former official. The company proposed paying a royalty to the government and an additional 1.65 times the royalty to APMDC. However, the deal remains incomplete due to environmental clearance delays. The mine, which could yield 4,000 tons of barytes annually, has the potential for significant revenue.
