Date:26/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/26/stories/2005052610100400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Ponnala unveils steps to expedite land acquisition

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Major Irrigation Minister, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, has announced several steps for expediting land acquisition for irrigation projects and ensuring quicker compensation payment to oustees.

He told reporters here on Wednesday that a decision had been taken to appoint six special deputy collectors for land acquisition. Forty-four special deputy collectors and five special collectors had already been posted in Mahabubnagar, Warangal, Srikakulam, Prakasam and Vizianagaram districts.

Rate enhanced

He said oilpalm and soapnut trees had been included in the list of trees for which compensation was allowed in case of submersion under an irrigation project. The rate for the existing items in the list had been enhanced.

In all, 100 global positioning systems (GPS), which facilitate land surveying three times faster than under manual operations, had been purchased and 10 personnel trained to start with. Survey work was also being outsourced as the departmental staff was unwilling to do this job. The rate hadbeen increased to Rs. 25 per unit surveyed from Rs.12.50 earlier.

Technology at work

Incentives were offered for completing survey within the schedule and for doing excess work. Remote sensing technology is used to identify Government lands fit for afforestation in lieu of lands lost under submersion, Mr. Lakshamiah said.

The Minister said resurvey had been ordered for the Yellampalli project to increasing the proposed utilisation to 160 tmcft from 50 tmcft. This, he said, followed a representation from experts of the Institution of Engineers led by G. Prabhakar.