The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : CPI (M) launches second phase of ‘bhoo poratam’

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

CPI (M) launches second phase of ‘bhoo poratam’

Staff Reporter

Till land under survey number 170 of Mavala gram panchayat

ADILABAD: Activists of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday tilled the lands under survey number 170 of Mavala gram panchayat as it launched the second phase ‘bhoo poratam’ in Adilabad district.

The move, termed as ‘liberation’ of government land, was more a symbolic effort than a thrustful activity near Adilabad town.

The refrain of ‘bhoo poratam’ activists was “Jendpattandi, nagali kottandi, vithanam veyyandi” as they tilled the land with the couple of ploughs.

The land in question is a piece of about 1,500 acres where the party had made an effort even last year.

Last year the shrubs and bushes had been cleared under the ‘bhoo poratam’ and it was in this clearing that the land was tilled.

CPI (M) State leaders Saibaba, Lanka Raghavulu and district general secretary Bandi Dattatri criticised the government for its insufficient effort in addressing the land problem.

Quoting the example of Adilabad district, the leaders pointed out towards the demand for land to be disbursed among the landless poor under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 was nearly 6 lakh acres while the Government had proposed to disburse pattas to about 2 lakh acres.

The Government has failed to check the objections on this disbursal itself, they added, pointing towards the High Court stay on distribution of titles on forest land.

In order to meet the shortfall in extent of land to be distributed, the Government ought to have disbursed lands that fall under section 4 like the one subjected to Bhu Poratam now, they said.

Meanwhile, Forest officials arrived on the scene and warned the activists of attracting penal provisions in case they did not leave quit.

The Forest department had instituted cases against the activists last year.

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