Date:04/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/04/stories/2007010421440100.htm

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YSR surrenders yet 997 acres more

Special Correspondent

The land with clear title does not attract provisions of any of the land reforms laws

HYDERABAD: Giving a boost to what he called `second generation land reforms,' Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday surrendered yet another extent of 997 acres of land in Kadapa district, belonging to him and his family members, for distribution to the poor.

Situated in Thimmamambapuram of Penagaluru mandal in Kadapa district, the land has a clear title and does not attract provisions of any of the laws governing land reforms. Partly owned by Forest Plantation India Limited, a family concern of Dr. Reddy, the lands were described by the High Court as unfit for cultivation but developed later.

With this, the total extent of land surrendered by the Chief Minister is 1,307 acres, including 310 acres at Idupulapaya in Vempalli mandal.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Wednesday, Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao appealed to all elected representatives in the State, politicians and others to emulate Dr. Reddy by surrendering assigned lands held by them within 90 days of the notification to be issued shortly under the AP Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfer) Act. "Those not complying will be punished under the penal provisions of the Act," he said.

Already, two political leaders in Nandyal have surrendered smaller extent of land. The Minister hoped that they would be able to recover 7 lakh acres of assigned land by declaring their transfer null and void. A "Bhooyagnam" would be undertaken shortly in line with the 104 recommendations of the Koneru Ranga Rao Land Committee and usher in `Indiramma rajyam'.

`Great sacrifice'

Mr. Prasada Rao claimed that the Chief Minister had made a `great sacrifice' by parting with the lands which, in fact, did not come under the purview of any Act. Even the lands at Idupulapaya were purchased through proper payments though they were subsequently found to be belonging to the Government while those at Thimmamambapuram were completely private lands. Telugu Desam president N. Chandrababu Naidu stood out in contrast as he had not come forward to surrender any land, he said.

Answering questions, the Minister said details about the lands identified as assigned or surplus belonging to Ramoji Rao, GVK Industries and Sanghi Industries were yet to reach the Government.