Minister justifies takeover of assigned land

Hyderabad, Mar 21 (UNI) Justifying the takeover of land assigned to five people in Kandakur town, Andhra Pradesh Municipal Administration Minister K Ranga Rao today informed the state Assembly that action would be taken against constructions on the said land as per rules.

Making a statement in the House, he said lands were assigned that 146 square yards of land was assigned to one Balaiah and China Balaiah, 363 sq.yds to Lakshmi Rajyam, G Bharati and Usharani and 288 sq yds to K Bharathi and K Kondamma in Kandukur town.

Mr Rao clarified the allottees had not constructed houses for themselves within the stipulated time and in violation of conditions of the grant, they had sold away the land to others through registered sale deed and as per section 3(3) of the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands Act, the above transactions were ''null and void''.

Following this, the purchasers of the above lands had approached the High Court, which had directed the former to petition the Revenue Division Officers who had dismissed their appeals observing that the Mandal Revenue Officer had rightly resumed the assigned lands.

The petitioners' representation to assign them the land on payment of market value was under examination by the Revenue department, he added.

UNI