Reddy hands over 1400 acres to be distributed among poor

Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, Feb 6 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has handed over nearly 1400 acres of his family lands to the state government to be distributed among the landless poor.

Dr Reddy declared that as only the poor have a right over these lands, his family was handing over the holdings to the government to be distributed among the landless poor. The modified assigned lands act is also strictly being enforced to identify all such illegal lands holding and notices had been served on several people, he said.

No favour was shown in serving the notices and influential business groups like GVK, Ramoji group, Sanghi Industries (owned by a Congress MP, Girish Kumar Sangh) and former TN Chief Minister, Jayalalitha were not spared, according to the Chief Minister.

Such lands came to be owned by his family members and himself at Idupulapaya in Vampalli Mandal in Kadapa district (331 acres) and 997 acres near Rajampet (owned by his daughter), as a result of secondary and tertiary transactions, he said.

In the process of ushering in Indiramma Rajyam as promised by the party, the state government launched the first phase of land distribution to the landless poor from Mahabubnagar district.

Next was the turn of the Prime Minister himself who handed over pattas to the landless in Medak district. The third phase this year was launched in Anantapur.

Land issue which prominently figured in the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee election manifesto in 2004, stayed in the news when the talks with naxalites came up. The government identified it as a major issue in seeking a solution to the daunting socio-economic problem called naxalism. A survey done by the revenue department revealed that at least 10 lakh acres could be reassigned to the poor if proper action was initiated.

In all more than five lakh acres of land has so far been distributed to the landless poor and the government has also launched Indira Kranti Pathakam with Rs.500 crore to improve the soil quality, Dr Reddy said.

UNI