NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday brushed aside criticism by the Telugu Desam Party that the State Government had allocated over 470 acres of land to his son for setting up an industry in Kadapa.

"It is absolutely meaningless. The Government has not done anything illegal. Please ask him [TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu] to go to any place and inquire... '' Dr. Reddy said.

The TDP chief had earlier in the day alleged that the Government had favoured the Chief Minister's son by cancelling allotment of land to Ambuja Cement and giving 470 acres at the rate of Rs.1 lakh an acre.

Cancellation

The Chief Minister said that on the question of cancellation of land, the said company had been given the land nine years ago and since it did not set up the factory in stipulated time, it was automatically cancelled. As for the land valuation, he said, as per current market rates the price per acre was anywhere between Rs.18,000 and Rs.20,000 an acre.

Not for farm purpose

State Congress chief K. Kesava Rao, on his part, said he had a word with the District Collector who told him there were no takers for the land (allotted to the Chief Minister's son) and it was not used for agricultural purpose.

He said on the contrary that during 2003 the TDP had allotted 150 acres to its Polit Bureau member at Rs.15,000 an acre.

"Govt. doing well'

The Chief Minister said the allegations levelled by the TDP chief were because the party was worried since it could not bring any industry during its nine-year regime.

He said that during the last three years, the Congress Government was performing well on all fronts, including attracting investment and industry to the State.

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