Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday personally intervened to restore the land of an aggrieved farmer from Mancherial district and sent a strong message as well aimed at rooting out corruption in revenue department. The intervention came in response to a message posted on social media by the farmer which came to the notice of Mr. Rao.
On getting to know of the ‘injustice’ to farmer Kondapalli Sharath of Nandanapalli village in Nennel mandal, the Chief Minister asked Collector Bharati Hollikeri to personally reach out to the farmer and restore his more than seven acres of land which was fraudulently transferred in someone else’s name about 11 months ago.
The farmer had since lodged complaints of the wrongdoing owing to local Village revenue officer Karunakar who was bribed to recommend transfer of the land in the name of one Shankaramma.
The collector has placed VRO Karunakar under suspension.
Mr. Rao also ordered the farmer be given the benefits of Rythu Bandhu scheme. Officials also initiated efforts to hand him over the benefits.
The Chief Minister himself spoke to Mr. Sharath inquiring about the antecedents of the issue. He was informed that the farmer’s family was in possession of the land since the last 50 years.
The audio of the telephonic conversation which was recorded by the farmer was released to the media. Mr. Rao is heard assuring him not only restoration of his land but also the benefits of RBS.
The Chief Minister is also heard asking the farmer to make a post detailing the effort of the government once his land is restored. The post should enlighten the farming community, he added.
Mr. Rao talked of a drive to cleanse the grassroots-level Revenue system of corruption which had harmed the interest of poor farmers. He wanted the farming community to unite to fight corruption.
Meanwhile, Ms Hollikeri and Bellampall sub-collector Rahul Raj verified the records of Mr. Sharath’s land. Based on the verification, rectification of the records was done online.
By evening Sharath received the parts for his land and 1 B pahani (land document). He was also given a cheque for ₹31,200 as Rythu Bandhu Scheme investment support for last kharif season.
