Date:03/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/03/stories/2007080360820700.htm
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Andhra Pradesh

Collectors asked to fix boundaries of Kolleru


Chief Secretary asked to review the cases and take appropriate action, except those of criminal in nature


HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Wednesday directed the Collectors of West Godavari and Krishna districts to begin work of fixing boundaries of the Kolleru lake sanctuary in December this year and complete it by March 2008 end.

On the plea of the MLAs to revoke cases filed by the Forest Department, Dr. Reddy assured to look into the matter sympathetically and directed the Chief Secretary, J. Harinarayan to review the cases and take appropriate action except on those criminal in nature.

YSR’s offer

Dr. Reddy was reviewing the issues relating to Kolleru with the concerned Ministers, MPs, MLAs and the two district collectors here. He also agreed to provide either land for land or cash compensation to private land owners who lost their land in Kolleru and ordered the District Collectors to send a detailed report .

It was also decided to give priority to provide Government land (above the fifth contour area) to those fishing societies which were enjoying the tanks since 1971. The Chief Minister made it clear that the lands over and above the notified sanctuary area, ie 77,000 acres, should not be touched.

Advice to officials

Referring to the representation that about 1.5 lakh acres of farmlands were submerged and farmers put to a great loss, Dr. Reddy asked the respective MPs, MLAs, Irrigation and Forest Department officials to hold a review meeting at district level on August 6 and 7.

Ministers N. Raghuveera Reddy, Dharmana Prasada Rao, Maganti Babu, P. Subhash Chandra Bose, Buddha Prasad, S. Vijayarama Raju and P. Venkateswara Rao and officials attended.

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