Ensure justice for Amaravati farmers: Vijayasai Reddy

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Raising sharp questions over the long-pending concerns of farmers in Amaravati, former YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy on Sunday criticised successive Andhra Pradesh governments for failing to deliver on promises made under the land pooling scheme.

Speaking on behalf of farmers who gave their lands in 2015 for the proposed capital city, he said that even after 11 years, many of them are yet to see tangible benefits. He questioned whether a single farmer has been able to construct a house on the allotted plots or if fully developed residential sites have been handed over as promised.

He also flagged the absence of commercial activity, asking if any beneficiaries have been able to utilise their commercial plots for shops or offices. According to him, farmers have largely received only limited annual lease payments, with little progress on ground development.

Referring to statements made in the Assembly praising farmers’ “immeasurable sacrifice,” he said such remarks have not translated into meaningful action or justice.

Reddy urged the current government to take corrective steps, including providing compensation under the Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013, in addition to the promised residential and commercial plots. He also demanded that compensation for assigned lands be paid directly to original assignees instead of intermediaries.

Further, he called for the restoration of 50,000 house site pattas earlier given to the poor in Amaravati and later cancelled, urging that they be returned to the original beneficiaries.

He maintained that while building the capital is important, it must not come at the cost of justice to farmers, warning that otherwise only the wealthy and privileged would benefit.