Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Bid to sell hill land kicks up row

VISAKHAPATNAM: The notification for e-bidding of hill area belonging to the Government at Madhurawada and Yendada under the pretext of promoting tourism has kicked up a row. The notice mentions the survey number of one piece of land while ignoring another. It is said that the auction is being done without seeking clearance from the Chief Commissioner of Land Administration as per laid procedures.

Former IAS officer and coordinator of Forum for Better Visakha E.A.S. Sarma said the procedure adopted through the notification did not comply with the norms stipulated by the Revenue Department. He said it was highly objectionable and the proposed sale would not stand legal scrutiny.

In a letter sent to the Chief Secretary, Vice-Chairman of VUDA and others, he said the notification referred to lands in Yendada and Madhurawada villages in Visakhapatnam rural mandal. He said in addition to the other objections raised in this letter, the e-bidding notice lacked specificity, was inherently flawed and deserved to be withdrawn.

He said he reminded the Chief Secretary that earlier he was informed that in response to a representation that no construction activity should be undertaken in violation of VUDA Master Plan and the Zonal Development Plans (ZDPs) applicable to the various townships in and around Visakhapatnam.

Mr. Sarma said the land in Mathurawada and in S.No.1 in Yendada village were classified as `hill and forest’ in the approved ZDP and the Master Plan. Any construction activity on it would violate GO Ms. No. 228 and 345. He said the lands in question were also located in ecologically sensitive areas.

He also took exception to promise to change land-use classification to residential and multi-use purposes. This would clearly attract the violations indicated by him in the enclosed letter at items 1, 2 & 4. Moreover, no change in land-use classification in modification of the Master Plan and ZDP can be announced in a casual manner, as there was an elaborate procedure laid down for that in the Urban Areas (Development) Act, 1975, he said.

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