8 hrs ago
AMR India Accused of Illegal Permit Collections in Andhra Pradesh
AMR India is a company that collects certain mining fees for the Andhra Pradesh government.
Officials say it may have created its own permit system instead of using the government portal.
They also allege that money was collected in cash and through QR codes connected to personal bank accounts.
A government inspection found these issues at a checkpost in Anakapalli district.
The company operates nearly 650 checkposts in five districts.
The Enforcement Directorate searched company-related premises as part of a money-laundering investigation.
The investigation involves loans raised from SREI by two companies, including AMR India.
The permit system was originally created to reduce illegal mining-fee collection.
Mining officials have recommended a wider investigation, while the state government has not publicly acted on that recommendation according to the article.
The Enforcement Directorate searched AMR India premises and those of promoter A. Mahesh Reddy over alleged money laundering.
A preliminary inspection found allegedly unauthorized permits issued through AMR India’s private apps and websites.
Officials reported cash collections and UPI QR codes linked to individual bank accounts at checkposts.
AMR India operates nearly 650 checkposts across five Andhra Pradesh districts.
Mining officials said the company allegedly issued permits outside the government’s authorized OMEPS portal system.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, AMR India Limited, promoter A. Mahesh Reddy, and Andhra Pradesh mining officials are involved.
- What
- AMR India is accused of issuing unauthorized mining permits and collecting money outside the official system; the Enforcement Directorate is investigating alleged money laundering.
- Where
- The reported irregularities were found at Sampathipuram in Anakapalli district, and AMR India operates across five Andhra Pradesh districts.
- When
- The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches on Friday, while the alleged collections occurred over the last few years.
- Why
- The alleged system may have allowed AMR India to collect mining-related payments outside the government’s authorized OMEPS portal.
Key facts
- Company
- AMR India Limited
- Promoter
- A. Mahesh Reddy
- Checkposts
- Nearly 650 across five districts
- Inspection location
- Sampathipuram, Anakapalli district
- Official portal
- OMEPS, the state-owned permit and transit-form system
- Investigation
- Enforcement Directorate searches linked to alleged money laundering
- Contract districts
- Guntur, Krishna, Nellore, Prakasam, and Visakhapatnam
Quotes
A senior mines official
A mines department official commenting on the SCC system and alleged irregularities
“The objective is to arrest pilferage arising out of nexus between miners and department officials. But in reality, the SCCs are found to have established parallel permit sanctioning systems and looting the public money besides avoiding statutory payments to state and central agencies.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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