Geologist who cracked whip on illegal miners to be shunted out of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh?

SRIKAKULAM: Confusion prevails over the fate of mines and geology special officer R Prathap Reddy, with sources close to him alleging that he may be transferred for cracking the whip on illegal quarries and mines, including those belonging to ruling party leaders, in the district. His superiors have, however, denied any plans of shunting him.

R Prathap Reddy, who is with the Goothy Circle of Anantapur district, was deputed to Srikakulam in November last year when irregularities in the Mines and Geology Department in the district were rampant. After taking charge as the special officer (Vigilance) with additional charge of assistant geologist, the official conducted regular inspections and slapped notices on several firms for various violations including illegal mining and quarrying.

Sources said Reddy, during his six-month-stint in the district, slapped fines totalling `20 crore on several firms, including Rithwik Projects Private Ltd and Sri Sai Laxmi Construction Company which are executing the Vamsadhara project. Rithwik Projects Pvt Ltd belongs to TDP MP CM Ramesh’s family. In April, Reddy served notices on a ZPTC member from Ponduru mandal, Lolugu Sriramulu Naidu (TDP), directing him to pay a fine of Rs 4.1 crore for excavating road metal without permission.
Sriramulu Naidu, however, denied illegal mining, saying Reddy had pulled him up “to create a sensation”.
Subsequently, on May 31, an official from Rajamahendravaram was posted as assistant geologist in the district.

While Reddy has not received any official communication or transfer order, the new appointment has led to a speculation that regular raids and penalties have angered local ruling party leaders who allegedly want Reddy out.

Prathap Reddy, has previously been recognised for discharging his duties sincerely and honoured with several awards, including ‘best officer’ and ‘Udyog Ratna Pratibha Puraskar’, from the state government.
Sources close to Reddy said he had slapped fines of over `200 crore while working in Rayalaseema as a vigilance officer. In 2012, Reddy was put in abeyance for 10 months without salary and a posting for serving notices to ‘influential people’. He moved court to get his salary.

On their part, officials from the department maintained that there has not been any transfer.
“The assistant geologist post in Srikakulam has been vacant for long, and an official from Rajamahendravaram has been recently posted to fill that position.
However, Prathap Reddy’s post as a special officer is still there,”G Sivaji, in-charge Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, Srikakulam, told The New Indian Express.
When contacted, the director of the department, B Sreedhar, said he would look into the issue.