Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday assured tribal families that the State government will pay compensation as per the New Land Acquisition Act-2013 for the people displaced by the Polavaram project. He urged them not to be misled by the Opposition parties, since the government was willing to help the affected people in all aspects, apart from paying decent compensation.
The Chief Minister inaugurated new Integrated Tribal Development Agency office in Chinturu of Yetapaka mandal of East Godavari district. Addressing a public meeting, Mr. Naidu said the Andhra Pradesh government was taking steps for the early completion of the Polavaram project although it had received meagre funds from the Union government.
“The then Congress government had just constructed canals under Jalayagnam programme, but the real work began during our regime. We are sure to complete the project with the help of locals and irrigate lakhs of acres for the prosperity of farmers and others in many districts,” he said.
He said that the government could acquire 32,535 acres in 190 villages after taking the consent of locals, and 18,565 acres additional land required for the project. “Compensation under new Land Acquisition Act will help displaced persons to lead a happy life. We are willing to provide alternative land and houses in faraway places also if the people are willing to relocate. We will provide livelihood, land to land and other facilities,” he added.
Mr. Naidu said the new ITDA in their vicinity would spur economic activity and change the lives of tribal people. He said that 1.5 lakh people would benefit with the new ITDA office.
The Chief Minister assured to set up a 50-bed hospital for locals and 30-bed hospital for Kunaravam area. He announced the establishment of a central kitchen to ensure nutritious food for 20,000 children studying in residential schools.
Deputy Chief Minister N. Chinna Rajappa, Minister for Irrigation Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Minister for Medical and Health Kamineni Srinivas and others participated.
Earlier, the officials of the irrigation department briefed the Chief Minister about the status of the Polavaram project.
The officials struggled to make the meeting a success as people feared to venture out fearing sunstroke, with the mercury touching almost 40 degrees Celsius in the area. Several TDP leaders of East Godavari district accompanied Mr. Naidu and explained the latest political situation in the district, particularly after the joining of YSRCP MLA Jyotula Nehru into the party.
