Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

‘Ramanaidu Studios flouting land acts’

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Forum for Better Visakha has appealed to Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to re-think his decision on inaugurating the D. Ramanaidu Studios at Rishikonda, as his action would only endorse the violations indulged in, by the studios coming up there.

Addressing a media conference here on Saturday, FBV convenor and former Energy Secretary EAS Sarma said the studios had clearly violated the rules as it took possession of ten acres of land near Bavikonda in violation of the AP Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1960 as the land was part of the 330 acres allotted to Archaeological Department in 1991.

“The Coastal Regulation Zone Act was also violated as four acres come under the studios. According to revenue records, this was hill poramboke land.

The Congress government changed the land use to industry, clearly deviating from the master plan,” he said.

The GVMC last year had given clearance to the film studio. Since it came under industry land, it needed clearance of Pollution Control and Environment Departments, Dr. Sarma pointed out.

Also, according to the new master plan of Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority,the studio was earmarked as ‘open space and recreation’.

Any construction there was prohibited and was against the bylaws . He said that he had already sent an e-mail to the Chief Minister’s office on August 3 .

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