Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao has been playing a crucial role in convincing the oustees to part with their land under G.O. 123 for the construction of Mallannasagar reservoir. He made six villages fall in line and agree to sell their lands to the government.
On Wednesday, about 300 villagers from Pallepahad met Mr. Harish Rao and MLA S. Ramalinga Reddy and held discussions with them for about three hours and the outcome of the discussion was positive.
“They have promised to purchase land by paying Rs. 6 lakh per acre under GO 123 and pay compensation for the houses in addition to a double bed-room house. Mr. Harish Rao also promised to get our to- be- constructed village adopted by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on the lines of Erravalli and Narsannapet,” Mr. Paripoornachary told The Hindu after discussions with the Minister.
They said that they were selling their land to the government with a belief that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Mr. Harish Rao would fulfil their promise. They were also told that they can vacate the villages only after the construction of new villages.
This is the sixth village to come forward to sell their land to the government under the GO. The other villages are- Tukkapur, Toguta, Banjerpally, Lakshmapur and Etigaddakishtapur. The controversy started from purchasing land at Lakshmapur and Etigaddakishtapur.
“This is the sixth village to come forward to sell land to the government for the reservoir. We are nearing our target with only two more villages still remaining,” Mr. Harish Rao told The Hindu .