Grama sabhas held by the district administration in 12 villages of Damarcherla mandal were boycotted by the respective villagers, on Saturday.
The meetings were held to get people’s consent for setting up of 6,800 MW thermal power plants on 10,700 acres of forest land. At Tallaveerappagudem, villagers boycotted the grama sabha headed by N. Madhusudhan stating that they would lose their livelihood if the forest land was converted for commercial use. They argued that many farmers have been cultivating the forest land for decades, but did not have pattas on their name.
Speaking on the occasion, Pendem Ramanjaneylu, a farmer from Tallaveerappagudem, said that he has been cultivating 7.5 acres of land, but has registration for only half an acre. Several other farmers from Tallaveerappagudem, Modugukunta tanda, Mudimanikyam, Kallepally, Dilwarpur, Narsapuram, Kondrapole and Veerlapalem have similar grievances.
Though officials tried to explain to them the rehabilitation package, many stayed away from the meeting.
A few who attended the meeting expressed fear that they might lose their lands because of the project and also said that it may prove harmful to the environment.
The villagers have asked the officials to give a written assurance regarding the rehabilitation package.
