People in Kovvada denied all welfare schemes

Thanks to the proposed nuclear plant in the vicinity, people of Kovvada, Tekkali, Ramchandrapuram and surrounding areas have been denied all welfare schemes, causing untold miseries to the locals. With the restrictions on sale of properties, the locals are unable to sell their lands and houses even for emergency needs such as marriages and hospitalisation of family members.

Private lenders have also stopped giving loans fearing that the locals cannot clear their debt with the ambiguity over their future. The lenders felt that they cannot claim rights over the land even if they were mortgaged with them as the government banned registration of lands in several villages.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) has proposed construction of 9600 MW power project in Kovvada of Ranasthalam mandal in Srikakulam district. The corporation needs around 2,300 acres of land for the project which is taken up with an estimated cost of Rs. 1 lakh crore. The proposal has turned into a big bane for locals as they could not any benefit from the government.

As many as 1,000 families are unofficially ‘blacklisted’ as they cannot get loans from the BC Welfare Corporation, the SC Welfare Corporation and other departments.

The reason is there is no guarantee for repayment of loans after their displacement. A local Mylipilli Ramudu alleged that the government was playing with their lives by denying all benefits.

“People of Kovvada and Tekkali and other areas will strongly oppose if the government continues to injustice to us. It should announce its package immediately to put an end to the ordeals. The officials should pay compensation for the people who have been doing agriculture activity in government lands. Colonies should be constructed on national highway where economic activity is more. It helps us to lead a decent life,” he added.

With the restrictions on sale of properties, the locals are unable to sell their lands and houses even for emergency needs such as marriages and hospitalisation of family members