The Hindu : Irregularities in land deals: 30 officials face action

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 27, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Irregularities in land deals: 30 officials face action

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD March 26. The Social Welfare Minister, J. R. Pushparaj, on Wednesday informed the Assembly that action had been recommended against 30 officials, including nine IAS officers, for their involvement in the irregularities committed by them in the purchase of land for Scheduled Castes through the AP SC Cooperative Finance Corporation.

Replying to a question by M. V. Mysoora Reddy (Congress) and others, the Minister said while the nine cases relating to IAS officers were referred to the General Administration Department, those pertaining to four of Revenue Divisional Officers and eight of Mandal Revenue Officers were handed over to the Revenue department. Action was being initiated against nine officials of the Social Welfare department.

He said of the total extent of 57,499.19 acres purchased since 1982-83 till date for distribution among the landless Scheduled Castes, 324.61 acres was found to be unfit for cultivation. A test check conducted in six districts had brought out this fact and appropriate action was being taken against those responsible for such purchase.

Disputing the Government figures, Dr. Mysoora Reddy alleged that guidelines were flouted in purchase of land and the Comptroller and Auditor-General report had pointed out that there were irregularities in five per cent of the purchases.

Minister's denial: The Municipal Administration Minister, B. V. Mohan Reddy, denied that there were irregularities in calling tenders for "sole out-door advertisement rights'' in Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) limits. Moreover it was in accordance with a unanimous resolution adopted by the VMC.

Replying to a question posed by Kota Srinivas Rao (BJP), the Minister said the tender process had helped the Corporation in netting Rs. 1.62 crores this year as against Rs. 60 lakhs to Rs. 75 lakhs, last year when it was on a nomination basis. Stringent conditions were placed before the advertising agency that had bagged the rights. Mr. Rao alleged that the rights over public property were given away by the VMC. The Commissioner blindly approved the contract conditions prepared by the advertising agency. The agency was given sub-lease rights too, all of which caused a loss of Rs. 2 crores.

Irrigation projects: The Major and Medium Irrigation Minister, K. Srihari, informed D. Uma Maheswara Rao (TDP) that the Government proposed to take up and complete 39 major and medium irrigation projects in 16 backward districts. After obtaining required clearances from the Central Government, the schemes would be posed for funding agencies such as AIBP, NABARD, World Bank and JBIC.

Tourist centre: The Tourism Minister, T. Srinivas Reddy, told A. V. Suryanarayana Raju (TDP), that Antharvedi in East Godavari district would be developed as an international tourist centre. A consultant had been appointed to study and come up with a feasibility report. On receipt of this report, further action would be taken.

Housing scheme stopped: The Revenue Minister, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju informed G. Sayanna (TDP) that the construction of houses for those displaced from Rasoolpura slum close to Hyderabad Airport, had to be stopped midway as funds for the project were not released by the Airports Authority of India. This was because the proposal to construct international airport has been changed from Begumpet to Shamshabad.

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