TDP chief and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wrote a letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Nilam Sawhney on Thursday, August 20, detailing the huge scam that has taken place in acquisition of lands for distribution to the poor. He alleged that YSRCP leaders had siphoned off hundreds of crores from purchase of lands and leveling them.
He specifically mentioned purchase of controversial Aava lands in Rajanagaram constituency in East Godavari district. The government brought each acre of land at an exorbitant price of Rs 45 lakh despite knowing that they are flood-prone. These lands have been under water for the last few days due to floods in River Godavari. Naidu said the ruling party leaders looted Rs 270 crores in the purchase of these submerged lands and are trying to loot another Rs 250 crore in the name of leveling them.
The TDP supremo alleged that YSRCP leaders have turned the distribution of lands to the poor as a source of income. He told the Chief Secretary in the letter that giving such unusable lands would not provide any security to the families of poor beneficiaries. Besides, this will pose a danger to the environment causing many problems in future.
He complained that the ruling party leaders convinced the land owners to demand abnormal price and later collected the extra money from them. According to him, such irregularities have taken place in many other parts of the state including Tenali, Vinukonda, Kavali, Palakollu, Pendurthy, Chodavaram, Addanki and Penamaluru.
Naidu demanded a thorough probe into all these irregularities and plunder of public money in the name of house sites to the poor. The State government has not responded on the issue while it continues to create uproar in East Godavari district.
