Date:16/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/16/stories/2007101651840300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Land transfer regulation cases to be cleared by December

D. Chandra Bhaskar Rao

High Court is reviewing the progress, says Sub-Collector

Katamneni Bhaskar

BHADRACHALAM: The pending cases of the scheduled area land transfer regulation (LTR) in the district would be cleared by December, according to the Bhadrachalam Sub Collector, Katamneni Bhaskar.

In an interview with The Hindu, he said some 32,138 cases involving an extent of 1,22,040 acres of land were disposed till date.

The progress in the implementation of the scheduled area land transfer regulation was being reviewed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court on a monthly basis. The government has been firm on the implementation of the recommendations of Koneru Ranga Rao Committee, amd has been monitoring the implementation of the regulation as well, he said.

He explained that only 894 cases involving some 2,078.18 acres of land were pending for disposal in the district. Some 187 cases pertaining to 626.37 acres of land were pending with the special Deputy Collector (Tribal Welfare ). The Agency divisional officers at Kothagudem and Palvancha had 630 cases and 26 cases respectively, which were related to 1,302 acres to dispose.

The Agency divisional officer, Bhadrachalam had 51 cases involving 157.05 acres to settle. He had issued ejection orders in many of the cases and steps were taken for speeding up the implementation of the orders also. He said 41,662 acres of land was restored to the tribals so far in 12,750 cases.

Altogether 14,654 cases involving about 50,000 acres were decided in favour of the tribals. Similarly 17,381 cases involving 72,045 acres were settled in favour of the non-tribals. On the representation made by the non-tribal communities for a review of the ejection orders issued in the temple town, he said that it was not under his jurisdiction.

The land transfer regulation (LTR) was applicable to the entire scheduled area in the district and no distinction could be made between Bhadrachalam and the villages such as Yatapaka in its vicinity.

He stated that the ejection orders were issued in respect of multi-storied structure in the temple town.