SIT initiates probe into MedTech land scam

There seem to be some discrepancies, says Vineet Brijlal

VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH, 10/07/2017: Special officer SIT on Land issues Vineet Brijlal and City police commissioner T.Yoganand addressing the media on the progress of enquiry in the land scame by SIT in Visakhapatnam on July 10, 2017. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Turning up the heat on land-grabbers, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DIG (Greyhounds) Vineet Brijlal has initiated an inquiry into the land scam alleged in the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ).

An official complaint against the alleged land scam was submitted to the SIT by Panchayat Raj Minister Ayyanna Patrudu.

The allegation

In his complaint, the Minister alleged that vast extent of land had surreptitiously been transferred to certain benami land-holders by members of influential political families and, ironically, the government had to pay compensation for its own land under the acquisition scheme. AMTZ is spread over 270 acres at Nadupuru in Visakhapatnam district.

Talking to

The Hindu , Mr. Vineet said: “We have taken note of the complaint. We have already initiated the inquiry process. It is too early to say anything, but there appears to be some discrepancies and we are looking into it.”

There are about 202 claimants for the 270 acres, for which the government has already paid about ₹25 crore as compensation at the rate of ₹12 lakh per acre.

“What we need to look into is – what is the extent of government land and who are the genuine owners, and who have claimed compensation illegally by fabricating the records,” said Mr. Vineet.

On the progress of SIT inquiry into the land scam in Visakhapatnam, Mr. Vineet said that of the 300 complaints short-listed, about 160 had been sorted out.

“So far, we have identified about 300 acres of government land in Visakhapatnam rural that has been encroached upon by fabricating the documents and 278 acres that has been grabbed by tampering the documents under the Provision of Transfer Act,” he said.

The SIT expects to restore at least 1,000 acres of government land by the end of its term, which includes about 600 acres that has been encroached upon and grabbed under PoT Act and another 400 acres against which FIR has been filed.

FIR against 13 officials

SIT has already filed cases against 49 officials.. It has also sought departmental inquiry against them. It has registered criminal cases against 15 private individuals. FIR has been filed against 13 officials.

Out of the 69 NOC cases, SIT has finalised 23 of them and inquiry is on in respect of the remaining.

The initial two months period of the SIT is over and the officials have sought extension of the term by another two months. A decision on it is pending with the government.