Date:09/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/09/stories/2007090952280300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

CPI demands independent land commission

Correspondent

Party State convention in Tirupati from Dec. 19

Distribute lands instead of houses, demands Narayana
Left to contemplate a third political alternative

VIZIANAGARAM: CPI State Secretary K. Narayana has asked the State Government to soften its rigid stand on the appointment of an independent land commission for the implementation of Koneru Ranga Rao Committee recommendations in a time frame.

He said that the party would organise its 23rd State Convention in Tirupathi from December 19 to 23 where it would discuss the policies of the Congres Government during the last three years. Prior to that district-level meetings would be organised at Salur in Vizianagaram district.

‘Bhooporatam’

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Narayana reiterated the Left stand on ‘bhoo-poratam’. The Left, he said, launched the struggle following sale of Wakf and ‘banjar’ lands by the government and also encroachments by influential people.

He suggested appointment of an independent machinery to solve the pending land disputes as Revenue officials were unable to sort out the issues due to work pressure.

He said that 30 lakh families would be benefited, if the government, instead of constructing houses for the poor, distribute 70 lakh acres of land.

Vote bank

“Apart from saving money it (the government) can claim credit for that and also improve its vote bank,” he clarified.

Asserting that the Left had been contemplating a third political alternative after feeling the pulse of mass organisations and dalits and bahujans, he said that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.

MLA from Chatrapur (Orissa) Narayana Reddy, CPI district secretary P. Kameswara Rao and AITUC president V. Krishnam Raju were present.