Date:23/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082354910600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

No more acquiring land for industries in Andhra Pradesh

Special Correspondent

Fire-fighting measure by government to pacify farmers

Developers will hold discussions with farmers
No rehabilitation package for private sector hereafter

HYDERABAD: In a major policy shift, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided not to acquire private land for industries and infrastructure projects any more and instead, leave the job to the developers through negotiations with farmers.

The Land Acquisition Act will not be invoked in the State hereafter. Wherever government land is required for the projects, such land will be offered in line with the present rules.

This is seen as a fire-fighting measure by the Congress government to pacify farmers who are up-in-arms at several places against land acquisition for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and other projects.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Revenue Minister D. Prasada Rao, referred to the farmers’ concern over the vast extent of land needed for Coastal Corridor project. He said the decision would apply to this project but an exception would be made for the four-lane road along the 1,000-km long Ichapuram–Tada coastal road.

Asked why decision was taken so suddenly, he said, “Land acquired so far is now assessed as sufficient for the pipeline projects.”

Mr. Prasada Rao said there would not be any rehabilitation & resettlement (RR) package hereafter for private sector. However, a good RR package would be offered for lands acquired for the coastal road on the lines of the one adopted for Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad.

A vision paper of the coastal corridor which was under preparation at the instance of a World Bank group, would be ready by September.