The Andhra Pradesh government has amended the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession (APMMC) Rules, 1966, earmarking 33% of quarry leases for select minor minerals in favour of registered Vaddera Cooperative Societies as part of a policy aimed at promoting social equity, protecting traditional occupational rights and ensuring inclusive economic development.

According to G.O. Ms. No. 126 issued by the Industries and Commerce (Mines) Department, preferential allotment of quarry leases will be extended to registered Vaddera Cooperative Societies for building stone, dimensional stone used for kerbs and cubes, morrum/gravel and ordinary earth, road metal and ballast, rough stone or boulders, and slate. The order was issued by Principal Secretary (Mines) Mukesh Kumar Meena on Tuesday.

The government noted that the Vaddera community has traditionally been engaged in quarrying activities but has had limited access to formal quarry leases, particularly after the introduction of the auction-based allotment system. Following a review, it decided to create a dedicated framework to improve access to mineral resources for the community.

As part of the amendments, up to 33% of the allottable quarry area in each evaluation cycle will be reserved for registered Vaddera Cooperative Societies. Each society will be eligible for preferential allotment of quarry leases up to a maximum extent of 12 hectares. The government has also provided a 50% concession on seigniorage fees and premium amounts payable by such societies.

The amended rules introduce a new Part C(2) in Schedule IV of the APMMC Rules, covering minerals traditionally worked by the Vaddera community. Another significant change is the introduction of an “Evaluation Slot” system, under which lease applications will be scrutinised and disposed of in eight batches of 45 days each during a calendar year.

To ensure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, the rules prohibit the transfer, assignment or sub-leasing of quarry leases obtained under the preferential category to entities other than registered Vaddera Cooperative Societies. Any violation may result in cancellation of the lease after due process.

The notification will be published in an Extraordinary issue of the Andhra Pradesh Gazette and forms part of the State government’s revised minor mineral policy framework.