AP Govt likely to take back Kakinada SEZ land
KAKINADA: The state government's decision to take back the lands allotted to various Special Economic Zones (SEZs), as they are lying unused, seems to set alarm bells ringing for the promoters of Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ). The state government, which is badly in need of lands for establishing its offices, in the new state, is contemplating using these SEZ lands for the purpose.
The KSEZ Vyatireka Porata Committee, headed by C Suryanarayana, has been fighting against setting up of the KSEZ and is demanding that the lands acquired from farmers be given back, for no industry was started over the last three years.
While the KSEZ is spread in about 9,000 acres, the management purchased some lands directly from the beneficiaries, by paying nominal amounts, even as the lands in Tondangi and Uppada Kothapalli mandals were acquired through the government.
But then, the SEZ promoters are doing real estate business or launching aquaculture farms on the lands. Some of the lands were registered in the name of ex-promoter KV Rao, who later transferred the entire lands to the GMR Group after a controversy erupted over registration of thousands of acres of lands in his name, some time ago. Many a time, the police resorted to lathi-charge as farmers tried to occupy their lands.
Recently, the KSEZ Vyatireka Porata Committee met chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and asked him to accord permission to cultivate crops in the lands, for no industries have been set up yet.
Responding to the committee's request, the CM promised to do the needful. It may be mentioned that Chandrababu, as the opposition party leader, staged a dharna in the KSEZ earlier and assured that farmers would get their lands back if the TDP comes to power.
Meanwhile, the district administration is collecting information on the KSEZ, following the directions of the state government.
A displaced farmer, SN Rao said that they are all waiting for Chandrababu Naidu, who earlier staged a protest in KSEZ, to respond positively to their demand. Some others alleged that the KSEZ management is trying to retain the lands by influencing the government.
News Posted: 9 July, 2014
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