The Mines & Geology Department has reportedly issued a notice to the ACC Ltd. (a cement manufacturing company of the Adani Group), asking why the limestone leases granted to it in 2019-24, in purported violation of norms laid down by the Central government, should not be cancelled.
The department is learnt to be in the process of issuing similar notices to two other companies — Bharathi Cement Corporation Limited (BCCL) and Ramco Cements Limited. The ACC Limited has been given two weeks time to file its reply.
The said lease agreements came under fresh scrutiny by the coalition government after the Ministry of Mines recently objected to the grant of leases through the application route, instead of the prescribed auction mechanism.
According to official sources, grant of leases through auction system was mandatory as part of major reforms contained in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2021.
The State government will decide its course of action depending on the explanation tendered by these companies. Both the ACC Ltd. and BCCL got leases in Kadapa district, whereas Ramco Cements secured leases in NTR district.
Published – December 13, 2025 09:34 pm IST
