Quarry work illegal, high-level probe ordered in Kadapa blast

THE STATE GOVERNMENT ORDERED THE PROBE BY A MULTIDEPARTMENTAL PANEL

The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday formed a multi-department panel to conduct a high-level probe into the Kadappa quarry explosion, where 10 labourers were killed on Saturday, after preliminary probe by revenue authorities suggested that the leaseholder of the quarry had no permission to use explosives for mining activities in the area.

Kadapa district collector C Hari Kiran made the observation in his report to the state government submitted on Sunday.

Based on his report, the state government ordered the probe by a multi-departmental panel comprising officials of five different departments.

“The committee headed by the district joint collector has been asked to submit a report to the government within five days. Stringent action would be taken against the leaseholders of the limestone quarry as per the law, as prima facie it was proved that he had not followed any safety precautions in using the explosives,” state minister of mines and geology Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy said. The minister also announced an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

The incident happened at Tirumalakonda hillocks on the outskirts of Mamillapalli village of Kalasapadu block.

“We shall also make the mine operator pay additional compensation to families...,” he said.

“Reddy was doing quarry operations illegally...knowing that the department officials were appointed as nodal officers for Covid-19 duties...,” Kiran said.