Date:11/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/11/stories/2008091153320400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Congress defends AP Bhavan land lease

Special Correspondent

It is not outright sale as alleged by the Telugu Desam Party, says Congress
Lease given for 30 years during which developer would pay Rs. 180 crore

HYDERABAD: Congress party has defended the government’s decision to lease out land belonging to the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi to a private developer stating that it was not outright sale as alleged by the Telugu Desam Party.

Taking serious exception to the repeated charges levelled by the TDP that government was disposing off lands at throw away prices to private firms, APCC spokesperson N. Tulasi Reddy and MLC R. Padmaraju at a press conference said no motive should be attributed in the lease of A.P Bhavan land to Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC).

Denying the TDP charge that government was planning to dispose off lands in other States also, Dr. Tulasi Reddy said there was no scope for allegations, as the bids were finalised, only after thorough scrutiny and following the rules. He said NCC had agreed to develop the existing land measuring 19.84 acres into a guest house that would house all the offices of the State government besides providing 170 guest rooms.

He said the lease was given for 30 years during which the developer would pay Rs. 180 crore in three decades. The State government would be able to utilise 3.95 lakh square feet of built up area.

Mr. Padmaraju also faulted the TDP leaders for casting aspersion on the VANPIC (Vodarevu and Nizampatnam Industrial Corridor) project.