: The State government by not ordering a comprehensive probe into the Simhachalam lands issue is tacitly supporting those who have encroached upon revenue, forest and private lands, North Andhra Graduates Constituency MLC M.V.S. Sarma said.
Addressing the media along with residents of the five villages – Adavivaram, Vepagunta, Purushotapuram, Venkatapuram and Chinagadili – affected by the case here on Saturday, he said that there was no documentary evidence to back the claim of the Simhachalam Devasthanam of holding 8,000 acres, including Inam lands. The 1903 Survey and Land Records showed the Simhachalam Devasthanam had title to some 560 acres and there was no record of the Inam Lands as claimed by the devasthanam.
The five villages are patta lands and not Inam lands. For example, in a Gazette notification in 1962, Adavivaram was notified as Bhumidari village and was uncontested till date. In the records published by Department of Survey and Land Records in 1905, Survey 275 (covering Kailasagiri or Pedakonda) was declared reserve forest land. However, the MROs of Chinagadili and Pendurthy in 1996 declared these lands Ryotwari patta land and declared that the title was held by the Simhachalam Devasthanam. The RDO court had declared it false in its ruling in 2010. A high-level committee of officers comprising Joint Collector, Director CCLA and Assistant Director Survey and Land Records had declared that the claims of the temple were unsubstantiated. A number of cases in this regard are under the consideration of the High Court.
Despite the ruling of the RDO Court and the recommendations of the high-power committee, the Collector had recommended to the government to alienate the lands to some investors basing it on the claims of the Simhachalam Devasthanam, he pointed out.
“CM has failed to keep word’’
The government should call for a comprehensive survey of the land records and order a thorough inquiry into the actions of the officers before taking any steps on the contested lands, the MLC demanded.
The Chief Minister had declared that the issue would be resolved within 100 days of assuming office, but even after 700 days nothing has happened, he noted. The delay was affecting over one lakh families who were unable to sell their properties or even carry out repairs.
The poor have become victims of the indecision of the government. It appears that the government is trying to shield the encroachers, he said.
Secretary Samaikya Praja Rythu Samkshemam Sangam TV Krishnam Raju, vice-presidents CHSS Gopala Krishna and M Suribabu were present.
The five
villages are patta lands and not Inam lands, says
M.V.S. Sarma
