YSRCP to take Panchadarla illegal mining issue to Parliament
Synopsis
YSRCP has taken the Panchadarla mining controversy to New Delhi, briefing Union ministers and threatening a parliamentary showdown if the Andhra Pradesh government refuses to declare the sacred hill a permanent No-Mining Zone. With nearly two lakh tonnes of gravel allegedly extracted beyond the approved plan and ₹250 crore in penalties cited, the political stakes are rising fast.
Key Takeaways
YSRCP leaders met Union ministers on Wednesday and submitted complaints over alleged illegal mining at Panchadarla , Anakapalli district.
Union Mines Minister G.
Kishan Reddy and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat assured a Central team would examine the site within 10 days .
Official inquiries reportedly found nearly two lakh tonnes of gravel extracted beyond the approved mining plan.
Former minister Gudivada Amarnath demanded a CBI inquiry into Anakapalli MP C.M.
Ramesh and cited penalties of nearly ₹250 crore .
YSRCP has threatened to raise the issue in Parliament if a permanent No-Mining Zone GO is not issued.
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders on Wednesday warned they would raise the issue of illegal mining at Panchadarla in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, on the floor of Parliament if the state government fails to issue a permanent Government Order (GO) declaring the sacred hill a No-Mining Zone. The warning came after a delegation of YSRCP MPs and leaders met Union ministers in New Delhi and submitted formal complaints.
Key Developments
Rajya Sabha MP Golla Baburao, Araku MP Gumma Thanuja Rani, former minister Gudivada Amarnath, former MLA Karanam Dharmasri, and YSRCP Anakapalli district president Boddeti Prasad met Union ministers and handed over complaints detailing the alleged illegal mining activity. Addressing the media afterwards, Baburao alleged that leaders of the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh were exploiting natural resources and destroying hills and temple surroundings across the erstwhile Visakhapatnam district.
What Union Ministers Were Told
Thanuja Rani said Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were briefed on the situation. Both ministers reportedly assured the delegation that a Central team would examine the mining activity and initiate action based on its report within 10 days. Official inquiries, she added, had found that mining and blasting vibrations were affecting sacred water streams, and that nearly two lakh tonnes of gravel had been extracted beyond the approved mining plan.
CBI Probe Demanded, Penalties Cited
Gudivada Amarnath demanded a CBI inquiry into the role of Anakapalli MP C.M. Ramesh, arguing that accountability could not end with the suspension of lower-level officials. He stated that penalties of nearly ₹250 crore were due under applicable rules for the illegal excavation and called for Ramesh's resignation alongside a comprehensive investigation.
Agitation to Intensify
Karanam Dharmasri warned that the agitation would continue until a permanent No-Mining Zone GO was issued. Boddeti Prasad said the movement that began in Panchadarla had now reached Delhi and would only intensify until those responsible faced action. This comes amid broader concerns about mining activity near ecologically and religiously sensitive sites across the Andhra Pradesh coast.
What Happens Next
The YSRCP has set a clear ultimatum: a permanent government order protecting Panchadarla or a parliamentary escalation. With a Central team reportedly set to visit within 10 days, the state government faces mounting pressure from both the opposition and Union ministries. The outcome of the Central team's examination is expected to determine whether the matter becomes a full-fledged parliamentary confrontation.
Point of View
If verified by the Central team, would represent a serious regulatory failure, not just a political embarrassment. Demanding a CBI probe into a sitting MP while the state government has only suspended lower-level officials suggests the accountability chain is being deliberately kept short. The 10-day Central team deadline is the real test: if it produces a credible report, it could force the state's hand; if it is delayed or diluted, YSRCP gains a legitimate parliamentary platform. Either way, the coalition government in Andhra Pradesh is on the back foot.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Panchadarla mining controversy in Andhra Pradesh?
The Panchadarla controversy involves alleged illegal mining at a sacred hill in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh, where official inquiries reportedly found that nearly two lakh tonnes of gravel were extracted beyond the approved mining plan. Mining and blasting vibrations are also alleged to have damaged sacred water streams in the area.
Why is YSRCP threatening to raise the issue in Parliament?
YSRCP is threatening a parliamentary escalation because the Andhra Pradesh state government has not yet issued a permanent Government Order declaring Panchadarla a No-Mining Zone. The party says it will continue to press the matter at the national level until the hill receives formal, permanent protection.
What did Union ministers say about the Panchadarla mining issue?
Union Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat reportedly assured the YSRCP delegation that a Central team would examine the mining activity at Panchadarla and that action would be initiated based on the team's findings within 10 days.
Who is C.M. Ramesh and why is a CBI probe being demanded against him?
C.M. Ramesh is the sitting Member of Parliament from Anakapalli. Former minister Gudivada Amarnath has demanded a CBI inquiry into his alleged role in the illegal mining, arguing that suspending lower-level officials is insufficient and that penalties of nearly ₹250 crore are due under applicable rules.
What is the significance of Panchadarla as a site?
Panchadarla is described as a sacred hill, with religious water streams in its vicinity. YSRCP leaders and local residents argue that mining and blasting activity at the site is damaging both the natural landscape and its religious significance, making the demand for a No-Mining Zone a matter of both environmental and cultural concern.
