Collector Pravin Kumar called upon the people to safeguard the brand image of the proposed MedTech Park in the city. The complaints of land grabbing at a time when the project was ready for take off could mar its image, he told a media conference here on Saturday.
The Collector had come out with a statement after R&B Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu on Friday had submitted a representation to the SIT suggesting that local leaders had fraudulently encroached 270 acres of government land and claimed compensation of ₹ 12 lakh per acre in the MedTech Park.
The foundation for the MedTech Park, to be set up in an extent of 270 acres, was laid by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in August last year. The park, which could provide jobs to 24,000 people, was meant to manufacture medical equipment, which were presently being imported. It could result in a saving of ₹12,000 crore as foreign exchange to the nation.
He said top priority was given to the provision of basic amenities at the park. The acquisition of land was completed and payment of compensation was done in a transparent manner. The completion of construction of the park and commencement of production was expected to begin in three years.
He said the list of displaced persons was prepared with the consent of all concerned at ‘gram sabhas’. The Collector said anyone could come and meet him on the issue and appealed to the people not to believe rumours.
