No decision yet on bauxite mining in agency area: AP minister

Andhra Pradesh Tribal and Social Welfare Minister Revela Kishore Babu said here today that the state government has not taken any decision on bauxite mining in agency areas in the state.
Addressing a press conference here today, he said that there is no proposal pending with the government on bauxite mining, adding that the government would not go against the wishes of the Girijans (tribals), whose sentiments and culture would be respected.
He said that the government is taking all measures to improve working conditions in Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes hostels in the state. A bio-metric system which has already introduced in some hostels would be introduced in all hostels to monitor their working conditions.

Admitting that there are lapses in working conditions of the hostels, he said that the government is keen to improve facilities by creating the necessary infrastructure.
He said that he had issued order to provide solar lights and fencing in all hostels.
He said that as per Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's direction, an action plan would be prepared to convert all Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste hostels into residential schools, in a phased manner.
He said that there is a proposal to establish three residential schools in every mandal by merging government schools, which do not have sufficient strength. He said that the government plans to provide "corporate type" education to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students.