Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed strong objections to a recent Union government policy that reclassifies laterite with over 20% aluminium as a major mineral, thereby shifting its regulation from state to central authority. This change has halted the awarding of 402 mining leases in Andhra Pradesh, as the state previously operated under a "first come, first served" basis for minor minerals like laterite. The new classification mandates a lengthy auction process, potentially causing significant financial losses and legal challenges for applicants who have already invested in the mining lease process. Naidu has requested a two-year transition period for these pending applications, citing precedents set when other minerals were similarly reclassified.