Left parties, including CPI and CPI(M), strongly opposed the land pooling system being mooted by the State government for acquiring land for the construction of Bhavanapadu port.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who interacted with the locals to garner their support for the project, said that land pooling was the best method to acquire land for the port.
According to Left party leaders, farmers of Bhavanapadu and surrounding areas would face many difficulties like farmers of Amaravati where they are yet to be given developed plots although they had surrendered their lands long ago for the construction of new capital.
‘Against law’
CPI(M) district secretary Bhavikiri Krishnamurthy said that land pooling was against the principle of law.
“The government is trying to evade its commitments as per the New Land Acquisition Act-2013. It is supposed to ensure alternate land, job compensation and other benefits under the new Act. Land pooling is detrimental to the interests of farmers,” he added. CPI leaders Ch. Sundarlal and Chapara Venkata Ramana said fresh agitations would be launched on the issue. They felt that the farmers and fishermen would not get any benefit even if developed plots were given in the vicinity of port.
They felt that it would take at least one decade for the development of the area and land pooling would be of no help to locals.
The district administration had issued notification in September, 2015 to acquire 4,763 acres of land but it could not take up the acquisition process due to stiff opposition from locals.
Locals of Bhavanapadu, Pedamarripadu, Chinamarripadu, Devunaltada, Suryamanipuram, Pollada, Kottapeta and Telagapeta joined hands together to form the Bhavanapadu Vyatireka Porata Committee to oppose land acquisition saying that the seaport would ruin their livelihood and make them homeless.
Officials likely to
meet farmers
The State government officials are hopeful to complete land acquisition process through land pooling since the people were convinced with its benefits.
The senior officials are likely to interact with farmers since the State government is very particular about the project which would pave the way for rapid development of the backward district.
The government is trying to evade its commitments as per the New Land Acquisition Act-2013. It is supposed to ensure alternate land, job compensation and other benefits under the new Act. Land pooling is detrimental to the interests of farmers
Bhavikiri Krishnamurthy
CPI(M) district secretary
