Andhra Pradesh Mines and Geology Minister Kollu Ravindra told the Assembly that the State government has initiated strong measures to curb illegal mining, particularly at the Rustum and Bharat quarries in Podalakur mandal, Sarvepalli constituency.

He said irregularities were detected in the Rustum Mining Company lease and that those supplying explosives to the mines had been arrested. Ravindra noted that a sudden surge in quartz demand from April 2023 had triggered large-scale illegal mining with alleged official collusion. In December 2023, local TDP leader and MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy staged a protest at the site but was attacked by hired goons allegedly backed by the former government. Complaints were later lodged with the Centre.

Following the coalition government’s assumption of office, the case was reopened and charges filed against former Minister and YSRCP leader Kakani Govardhan Reddy along with 11 others, resulting in arrests. The Minister also pointed out that quartz was declared a major mineral by the Centre in February 2025, enabling stricter legal enforcement.