‘Land not taken forcibly for capital’

March 06, 2015 01:10 am | Updated November 16, 2021 04:50 pm IST - HYDERABAD

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday denied that land was taken forcibly for the capital region and asserted that 33,000 acres were given voluntarily by farmers as they realised that it would be beneficial to them.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar here, he refused to join issue with Jana Sena leader and actor Pawan Kalyan on lands taken from farmers saying that he was not aware of the context in which he made those remarks. Mr. Pawan, who toured the capital region on Thursday, said that he would launch a fast if lands were taken forcibly from farmers.

Referring to how Hyderabad was developed during TDP regime, he said a capital could be built in 1,000 acres or 5,000 acres.

But the land would not have value.

The land value would automatically increase if a world class city that generates employment and economic activities was built. He warned that the present land value too would dip if hurdles were created. Mr. Naidu said the land pooling scheme was being implemented in a systematic manner without any selfish motives. Wondering if there was any such instance in a democratic country where 33,000 acres of land was pooled on a voluntary basis, he described the proposed capital city as “people’s capital”. That was why the farmers came forward as they realised it would benefit them.

The Chief Minister criticised the Left parties and YSR Congress for questioning the need for a huge quantum of land. He quipped that the Left parties want 10 acres for their party offices but the land for capital should be limited to 1,000 acres.

Appealing to farmers on the issue, he said the farmers and the State would be put to loss if there was any disturbance. He said the master plan on the capital by the Singapore government agency would be submitted by June.

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