The government machinery is all set to begin the land acquisition process for establishment of the capital for Andhra Pradesh. The Cabinet sub-committee constituted to set the modalities for “pooling of land” will begin visiting villages in Amaravati and Thulluru mandals of Guntur district from November 1.
The government is banking on the farming community so that they part with the land required for the capital. Sub-committee member and Agriculture Minister Prathipati Pulla Rao told media that the views of the committee members would be tabled before the Cabinet.
The proposals approved by the Cabinet would be put before the farmers. Guntur District Collector released a list of 17 villages -- Neerukonda, Nidamarru, Nekkallu, Borupalem, Mandadam, Malkapuram, Rayapudi, Uddandarayapalem, Dondapadu, Thulluru, Nelapadu, Mugalingayapalem, Lingayapalem, Abburajapalem, Sakhamuru, Elakapudi and Kuragallu – which would be visited by the sub-committee to elicit opinions of the farmers.
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Revenue officials have already started taking opinions of farmers in these villages. While a section of farmers at Rayapudi village were ready to enter into a partnership with the government a small group opposed it saying there would be no future for them if their land was taken away.
Attempts are also being made by a group -- ‘Rythu Sanghala Samaikya’ (Farmers’ Associations Federation) -- to help farmers get a better deal. Federation spokesperson Mallela Seshagiri Rao said the government should give farmers 70 per cent of the developed area. “It should appoint honest officials to ensure that farmers get their due. Government jobs should be provided to one person in the family and house sites should be given to the farmers. A timeframe should be fixed for completion of payments,” Mr. Rao said. He said work would not be allowed if farmers were denied their due.